Florence R. Sabin (1871-1953) was a pioneering American anatomist and medical researcher known for her groundbreaking work on the origins of the lymphatic system and blood cells. Her contributions were widely recognized during her lifetime, and she broke barriers for women in science. She was the first woman to hold a full professorship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, become a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and lead a department at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. After retiring, she embarked on a second career as a public health advocate in Colorado, earning a Lasker Award in 1951 for her efforts.Born in Central City, Colorado, Florence was the daughter of George K. Sabin, a mining engineer, and Serena Miner Sabin, a schoolteacher. After her mother's death when she was seven, Florence and her sister Mary were raised in Denver, Chicago with their uncle Albert Sabin, and Vermont with their grandparents. Both sisters attended Vermont Academy and Smith College, where Florence was encouraged to study medicine at Johns Hopkins' new co-educational program. She graduated from Smith College in 1893 and taught high school for three years to save for medical school.In 1896, Sabin began her medical studies at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where her talent in laboratory work caught the attention of anatomist Franklin P. Mall. He became her mentor, guiding her towards "pure" science and suggesting projects that established her research reputation. One such project was creating a three-dimensional model of a newborn's brainstem, which led to the publication of "An Atlas of the Medulla and Midbrain" in 1901. She also researched the embryological development of the lymphatic system.After completing an internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Sabin secured a research fellowship and published influential papers. In 1902, she joined the Johns Hopkins faculty, teaching embryology, and was promoted to associate professor in 1905 and full professor in 1917, making her the first woman to achieve this rank at the institution. Her research on the lymphatic system showed that its structures originated from the embryo's veins, not other tissues as previously thought. She also studied the development of blood vessels and cells using the technique of supravital staining.Despite her passion for teaching, by the early 1920s, Sabin wanted to focus solely on research. In 1923, she accepted an invitation from Simon Flexner to join the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, leading its Department of Cellular Studies. She began her work there in 1925, becoming the first female full member.At the Rockefeller Institute, Sabin conducted significant research on tuberculosis, contributing to the understanding of immune responses to the disease. She also wrote a biography of her mentor, Franklin P. Mall, between 1930 and 1934.In 1938, Sabin retired and returned to Colorado to live with her sister. She continued to engage with her scientific community, attending conferences and serving on various boards. In 1944, she chaired Colorado's Post-War Planning Committee's Health Committee, which led to the "Sabin Program" health bills, four of which passed in 1947. She later served as chair of Denver's Interim Board of Health and Hospitals and as Manager of the Denver Department of Health and Charities, where her efforts significantly reduced tuberculosis and syphilis rates.Florence Sabin was a celebrated figure in her time, receiving numerous awards and honors. In 1924, she became the first woman president of the American Association of Anatomists and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences the following year. In 1951, she received the Lasker Foundation's Public Service Award for her public health contributions in Colorado. The University of Colorado's Medical School dedicated a building in her name, and in 1959, a statue of Sabin was placed in the National Statuary Hall of the US Capitol, recognizing her significant scientific and public health achievements and her role as a trailblazer for women in the sciences.
