Constance Frost
Constance Helen Frost (c. 1863 – 29 January 1920) was a New Zealand medical doctor, bacteriologist and pathologist. She was born in London, England, in about 1863.[1] Her family moved to New Zealand when she was about 17 years old, settling in Onehunga.[1]
Career
Frost graduated from the University of Otago Medical School with MB, ChB in 1900.[1] She immediately moved to South Australia and gained a temporary residency position in Adelaide Hospital.[1]
In 1902, Frost was appointed as assistant bacteriologist, in charge of the laboratory for 18 months.[1] However, in 1903 Frost returned to New Zealand and set up her own practise as a doctor,[2] and became an honorary bacteriologist and pathologist at Auckland Hospital, as the second woman to hold this position.[2]
She remained part of the Auckland Hospital staff for around 17 years, and was the only women doctor until 1913.[1] In 1913, she was awarded a small honorarium, as a result of an increased workload and changes to her position.[1] Eventually in 1918, Frost's position became full-time and she was paid £500 per year.[1]
Death
Frost died in 1920 after contracting influenza.[2] She remained unmarried.[1]
References
- Anderson, Kathleen. "Frost, Constance Helen". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- "The 'hidden figures' of New Zealand science". Nine to Noon. RNZ. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.