Florence J. Murray

Florence Jessie Murray (February 16, 1894 – April 14, 1975) was a Canadian medical doctor, missionary, and professor who worked in Korea for over forty years, notable for her pioneering contributions as a woman in the male-dominated field of medicine, dedication to service during World War II and the Korean War, and innovation in improving medical care in Korea, specifically in treating tuberculosis and leprosy. Her leadership of the Severance hospital contributed to the development of Yonsei University. Additionally, the hospital she founded and led, the Wonju United Christian Hospital became the Yonsei University Mirae Campus. Recognized with several honorary degrees, she permanently returned to Canada in 1969, where she continued to share her passion for service through domestic projects and her memoirs.

Early life

Personal life Florence J. Murray was born February 16, 1894, in Pictou Landing, Nova Scotia and grew up in Lawrencetown and Earltown, rural Canadian towns. Her father was a Presbyterian minister and her mother was a teacher. Murray's parents supported her aspirations to become a physician despite gender norms at the time. Murray was the oldest of six children. Of her siblings Foster, Edward, Anna, Charles, and Alexander, the former three also became physicians.

Murray was the 23rd woman to graduate from the Dalhousie University Medical College, as it was uncommon for women to attend co-educational medical schools. Murray was a fourth-year medical student and had almost no experience in anesthesia. After just a day of experience working with explosion victims, she was made the official anesthesiologist at the Halifax YMCA.

Early years in Hamhung and Longjing Murray arrived in the Port of Busan on August 21, 1921. Soon after her arrival in Hamhung, Murray received word that Dr. Stanley H. Martin, the head of the Longjing Mission Hospital in Manchuria, was taking medical leave, and she was asked to take his place. The Hamhung community later threw her a dinner party to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of her arrival in Korea.

Post-World War II Years and the Korean War

After World War II, Murray could not return to Hamhung due to the division of Korea, so she arrived in Seoul in July 1947 for her teaching position at Ewha Womans University, now the largest female educational institute in the world. Murray felt that remaining independent meant limited resources for female trainees, and eventually left her position at Ewha. On the board, she advocated for several causes, including sending medical students for training abroad. and the Danish ship MS Jutlandia, and later received a medal from the Danish government for her work. Murray still continued to expand her knowledge as a physician and wrote to notify the Canadian Medical Association Journal of her address change to ensure she would still receive publications.

She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Pine Hill Divinity Hall, now merged with the Atlantic School of Theology, and was the first female recipient of this award. She also was awarded an honorary Legum Doctor degree from her alma mater, Dalhousie University. the Dalhousie University Archives, and the United Church of Canada Archives.