Joan Hodgman
Dr. Joan Hodgman (7 September 1923 – 10 August 2008) (first name pronounced jo-ANN) was a pioneer of neonatology. She practiced at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for more than 60 years.[1]
Professional Accomplishments
Helped set up one of the first neonatology labs in the United States at County-USC.[1]
She received several awards throughout her career, culminating in the 1999 Apgar Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the highest honor in neonatology[2]
In memory of her life and legacy as a teacher, her colleagues created the Joan E. Hodgman, M.D. Endowed Scholarship[3]
Areas of Research
According to her faculty page on USC's Keck School of Medicine,[2] her research interests included:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - development of cardiopulmonary reflexes during sleep
- Respiratory function during sleep and risk for SIDS
- Bilirubin metabolism in the neonate
- Inflammation at birth and its relation to chronic problems such as chronic lung disease and cerebral palsy
Personal life
Dr. Hodgman was an accomplished athlete who skied well into her 70s and worked until the year she died.[1] She was raised with the belief and encouragement that being a woman shouldn't stand in her way.[1] Widowed at 47,[1] she never remarried.
She encouraged the discussion of controversial questions regarding appropriate care for extremely ill infants.[1]
