One of our more well-known relatives is Dr. Virginia Apgar, a descendant of Conrad Apgar. She was a pioneer in the field of pediatrics and developed the scoring system for newborn babies - the Apgar Score. The Apgar Score has become so well known that it was included as an example in a book compiled by Carolyn Johnson, "Using Internet Primary Sources to Teach Critical Thinking in the Sciences, published by Libraries Unlimited, Fall 2002.

Dr. Virginia Apgar”s paper, "A Proposal For a New Method of Evaluation of the Newborn Infant" was first presented at the Joint Meeting of the International Anesthesia Research Society and International College of Anesthetists, September 1952, and then published in Current Researches in Anesthesia and Analgesis, July-August 1953. This paper suggests a multi-part method of determining newborn babies” state of health as soon as possible, to quickly detect life-threatening problems and avoid complications. This method - now know as the Apgar Score, after the Columbia University Presbyterian Hospital doctor who proposed it - is now a standard test procedure given to babies soon after birth.

Both Dr. Virginia's paper and an extract of Carolyn John”s book can be viewed following the links at the bottom of this page. Additional information on Dr. Virginia and her method can be found at numerous sites on the web. Links to several of these follow.

OFFICIAL DR. VIRGINIA APGAR WEB PAGE
Features biographical data on Apgar, information on acronym based on her name to help remembrance of Score features, and links accepting her induction into National Women”s Hall of Fame; and to sites in medical areas in which Dr. Apgar worked.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE - Profiles in Science
This site profiles prominent scientists, physicians, and others who have advanced the scientific enterprise available to the public.

NEONATOLOGY ON THE WEB
Features links (e.g. to: Classic Papers from Neonatal Literature, Resources Recently Added, Literature Citation of the Month, Resources Elsewhere on the Internet) featuring writings by pediatric professionals; and some articles that first appeared in medical journals such as FUTURE OF CHILDREN.