Freida Ruth Heighway

Freida Ruth Heighway (1907–1963) was an Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist, the first woman to graduate from Sydney University with a medical degree and the first woman admitted to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Early life and education Freida Heighway was born on 2 June 1907, the only child of Mr and Mrs F. S. Heighway. She grew up in Burwood, New South Wales. Heighway attended Methodist Ladies College in Burwood, graduating in 1925. She then attended the University of Sydney and graduated with a Master of Business (1930), Bachelor of Science (1930) and Doctor of Medicine (1939). She graduated MB BS with honours in 1930, and was the first woman at the University of Sydney to receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Career Heighway began her medical career as a two-year Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Prince Alfred and North Shore Hospital.

In 1945, Heighway moved with her husband, Andrew Arthur Abbie, and three daughters to Adelaide, where she found that the obstetrics field was dominated by men and she set up a solo specialist practice which grew rapidly. The Ruth Heighway Memorial Prize and Medal for obstetrics is awarded by the University of Adelaide in her honour