Call Number:

238

Repository:

Drexel University: College of Medicine Legacy Center

Extent:

.2 linear feet (1 quarter document box, five folders)

Language:

English

Date:

1911-1985 (inclusive)

Creator:

De Martinez-Alvarez, Josefina Villafane

Abstract:

Josefina Villafane de Martinez-Alvarez earned her M.D. from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP) in 1911. Martinez-Alvarez left Puerto Rico to study music in the United States. However, she abandoned her music career to pursue medicine after staying in the home of a family friend named Dr. Janer, whose daughter, Anita, was training as a medical student. After graduating from WMCP, Martinez-Alvarez returned to Puerto Rico and started a medical practice with her husband. She was one of five women doctors, including Anita Janer, practicing in Puerto Rico at the time.

Collection includes Martinez-Alvarez's WMCP commencement materials, including a program, announcements, and winter dance card, 1911; Board of Medical Examiners certificate (issued in Puerto Rico) with the signatures of the newly inducted president and secretary, 1926; WMCP commencement program and letter from Alumnae Association, 1961; small amount of correspondence, 1985-1987; Anti-Tuberculosis League flyer (in Spanish); materials from the American Medicine "50 Year Club", including a membership card, merit certificate, and pin, 1985; Boletín, an English/Spanish medical publication of the Medical Association of Puerto Rico, 1988; photograph of Martinez-Alvarez, 1985; commemorative plaque awarded to Martinez-Alvarez from the Women's Medical Association of Puerto Rico, 1970; silver plate; and a commemorative ceramic plate with "50" engraved in gold print.