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13 Facts About Johanna Hellman

1.

Johanna Hellman was the first female to be a member of the German Society for Surgery and contributed to surgical advancements in Germany and Sweden.

2.

Johanna Hellman was born in Nuremberg, German Empire on 14 June 1889.

3.

Johanna Hellman remained in Kiel during the war and assisted with the care of injured soldiers.

4.

Johanna Hellman became the first female member of the German Society for Surgery in 1925.

5.

Johanna Hellman became director of a Salvation Army hospital during this time period, introducing a surgical division to the maternity ward of a Salvation Army hospital.

6.

Johanna Hellman was forced to resign from her roles as head doctor in 1938 due to Nazi discrimination laws.

7.

Johanna Hellman emigrated to Stockholm, Sweden, but could not work as a surgeon because of her refugee status.

8.

Johanna Hellman was able to work as a nanny and spent her time learning Swedish.

9.

In 1947, Johanna Hellman managed her private practice at the Red Cross Hospital, working as an abdominal surgeon.

10.

Johanna Hellman was still working at age 86, but little is known of her subsequent life.

11.

Johanna Hellman was a mother to Irmgard Ahrendt, who she adopted during her time as a physician in Kiel during World War I The young girls father was injured in the war soon after his recovery he won back custody of his child.

12.

In 1938, during her time as a nanny, Johanna Hellman adopted another child.

13.

Johanna Hellman cared for one family's fourth child full-time and eventually adopted the little girl.