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Josefina Villafane De Martinez-Alvarez, M.D. papers

 Collection
Identifier: WM-238

Content Description

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.

Dates

  • 1911-1985

Creator

Biographical Note

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.

Extent

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

Language of Materials

English

Title
Josefina Villafane De Martinez-Alvarez, M.D. papers
Status
Completed
Author
Kieran McGhee
Date
5/26/2023
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Drexel University: College of Medicine Legacy Center Repository

Contact:
2900 West Queen Lane
Philadelphia PA 19129