Ada Gertrude Paterson

Ada Gertrude Paterson (6 June 1880 – 26 August 1937) was a New Zealand school medical doctor, child health administrator and community worker.

Early life and education Paterson was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1880. Her father was librarian at the Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute. She then went on to study medicine at the University of Otago, graduating in 1906 .

Career She returned to New Zealand and commenced practising medicine in Picton in 1908. Paterson was appointed a Medical Inspector of Schools in 1912, initially based in Dunedin but then in Wellington from 1916. She was one of the four women doctors in the School Medical Service: the others were Dr Margaret McCahon in Auckland, Dr Eleanor McLaglan in Christchurch and Dr Emily Irwin in Dunedin. In 1923 Paterson was promoted to Director of the School Hygiene Division of the Department of Health. She was also involved with the kindergarten movement. Her funeral and cremation were held on 28 August 1937. Her ashes are buried at her family plot in the Northern Cemetery in Dunedin.