Ewha Womans University Hosts Esther Park Special Exhibition Commemorating 120th Anniversary of Korea's First Female Doctor

Provided by Ewha Womans University

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Ewha Womans University Ewha History Museum announced on the 30th that it will hold an exhibition titled "Pioneer of Ewha, Medical Doctor Esther Park" from the 2nd of next month until May 15th of next year to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Esther Park becoming Korea's first female doctor this year.

Esther Park enrolled as the fourth student of Ewha Hakdang in 1886, went to study in the United States, became a doctor, and returned to her homeland. At that time, hospitals in Joseon were filled daily with women suffering from incorrect folk remedies and treatments, but Esther Park was the only Korean doctor. Despite the lack of facilities and personnel, she devoted herself to patient care day and night.

This exhibition introduces various photographic materials that provide an overview of Esther Park's life, including photos from her school days as the fourth student of Ewha Hakdang, photos of Bogunyeogwan where she worked as a medical assistant nurturing her dream of becoming a doctor, letters sent to Rosetta Sherwood Hall, a major supporter and doctor at Bogunyeogwan, photos with her husband Park Yeoseon, and photos from her time as an international student at the Woman's Medical College of Baltimore in the United States.

Additionally, visitors can see materials that help understand the tradition and history of Ewha medicine, such as Korea's first physiology textbook "Jeontwe Gongyongmundap" created by Ewha, a report by Mary Scranton, the founder of Ewha Hakdang, requesting the dispatch of doctors and teachers to Joseon, articles introducing Esther Park's medical activities after her return, photos of the nursing school and nursing graduates of Bogunyeogwan established in 1903 thanks to Esther Park's contributions, and photos of Bogunyeogwan restored inside Ewha Seoul Hospital.

The Ewha History Museum is open from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.