Alma Dea Morani (1907–2001) was a plastic surgeon. She is widely accepted as being the first female plastic surgeon in the United States and was the first female member accepted into the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Early life

Alma Dea Morani was artistically gifted beginning at a young age. Growing up she was exposed to her father's work which was heavy in religious symbolism. Religious art containing icons and emblems was used to spread the religious messages and teachings at the time. Morani's father, Salvatore Morani, was a sculptor. He was most well known for sculpting surgeons' hands. Morani's love for art, inspired by her father's works, influenced her to pursue a career in plastic surgery. While in her mid-teens Morani was an active

Girl Scout A Scout, Boy Scout, Girl Scout or, in some countries, a Pathfinder is a participant in the Scout Movement, usually aged 10–18 years, who engage in learning scoutcraft and outdoor and other special interest activities. Some Scout organization ...

. Through Girl Scouts Morani learned skills that allowed her to assist and treat minor medical injuries. This experience furthered her interest in medicine.

Education

Morani completed her undergraduate education at

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a Nondenominational ...

(NYU) in 1928. She then went on to attend the

Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania Founded in 1850, The Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP), formally known as The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, was the first American medical college dedicated to teaching women medicine and allowing them to earn the Doctor ...

(WMCP). Morani graduated with a medical degree from WMCP in 1931 and continued on to complete her residency there in 1935.

Career

Morani was the first female resident at WMCP until 1935. She did not start practicing plastic surgery until 1938, at this time she was known for being the first female plastic surgeon in the United States. To further improve her skillset as a surgeon, Morani went on to attend the

American College of Surgeons The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a professional medical association for surgeons and surgical team members, founded in 1913. It claims more than 90,000 members in 144 countries. History The ACS was founded in 1913 as an outgrowth of ...

in 1941. After completing her work at the American College of Surgeons, Morani did her fellowship under a well-respected surgeon, Colonel J. Brown. Morani eventually returned to WMCP where she became involved in higher education. She began by giving lectures and worked her way up the ranks to become a full professor over a span of 27 years. Having maintained a strong passion in both surgery and art throughout the course of her life, Morani was successful in incorporating both into her lectures. Morani was philanthropically and politically active. During World War II Morani raised funds to help keep clinic doors open in Philippines, Taiwan, Russia, and the Balkans. In addition, she provided pro-bono care to those serving the country, volunteering at Valley Forge Hospital performing reconstructive surgery on wounded soldiers. Politically, Morani was active in speaking out in favor of women's rights. Morani pushed for women to be able to enter the field of medicine as easily as men.

Achievement

Morani was the first female member accepted into the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. In 1948, Morani founded The Hand Clinic at Women's Medical College Hospital where students were able to get hands-on experience with patients. Morani also left a lasting impression on the art community. With her contribution of the Morani Gallery of Art, her work can be seen on display today. A majority of Morani's art was inspired by her work in medicine. This is why her Gallery is located inside her alma mater, which was later renamed, The

Medical College of Pennsylvania Drexel University College of Medicine is the medical school of Drexel University, a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The medical school represents the consolidation of two medical schools: Hahnemann Medical College, orig ...

. The Medical College of Pennsylvania is the country's only medical school with an art gallery.

Alma Dea Morani award

The Alma Dea Morani M.D., Renaissance Women Award was created in her name in 2000 to honor women physicians or scientists who made compelling contributions apart from medicine, as well as, facilitating the practice and competency of medicine. The award is presented in the shape of a surgeons hand to represent both Morani and her father's passion for sculpting. * 2000: Alma Dea Morani M.D., FACS * 2001: Barbara Barlow M.D., FACS * 2002: Carola B. Eisenburg * 2003: Mary Ellen Avery M.D. * 2004:

Christine E. Haycock Dr. Christine E. Haycock (January 7, 1924January 23, 2008) was an American nurse and surgeon who served as a colonel in the United States Army Reserve, and as a professor of surgery and Director of Emergency Services at the New Jersey Medical Scho ...

M.D., FACS * 2005: Audrey E. Evans M.D. * 2006: Mary Guinan Ph.D., M.D. * 2007: Catherine D. DeAngelis M.D. MPH * 2008: Ellen R. Gritz Ph.D. * 2009: Carol C. Nadelson M.D. * 2010: Marjorie S. Sirridge M.D. * 2011: Rita Charon M.D., Ph.D. * 2012: N. Lynn Eckhert M.D., MPH, DrPH * 2013:

Florence Pat Haseltine Florence Pat Haseltine (born 1942) is a U.S. physician, biophysicist, reproductive endocrinologist, journal editor, novelist, inventor, and advocate for women's health. An associate professor at Yale University, her work specializes in obstet ...

Ph.D., M.D. * 2014: Deborah German M.D. * 2015: Mary-Claire King Ph.D. * 2016: Paula Johnson M.D., MPH * 2017: Elizabeth Blackburn Ph.D., and Carol Greider Ph. D.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morani, Alma Dea 1907 births 2001 deaths 20th-century American women physicians American plastic surgeons New York University alumni Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania alumni American women surgeons 20th-century American surgeons 20th-century American women scientists