Lila Wallis

Lila Amdurska Wallis (June 1, 1921 – January 3, 2022) was a Polish-born American physician who was board-certified in internal medicine, hematology, and endocrinology/metabolism; the only doctor in the United States to be board-certified in all three specialties. Additionally, she founded and became the first president of the National Council on Women's Health, and created the Office of Women in Medicine at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in 1982. Her education in Poland was cut short following the German invasion during WWII. At 18 years old, she worked alongside the Polish as a nurse in a field hospital in the fight against the Nazis. Along with her interest in science fueled by role model Maria Sklodowska-Curie, the experience of providing underground medical aide to rural populations in Poland during the war solidified her desire to pursue medicine.

After coming to the United States, Wallis graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in chemistry in 1947. She then earned her M.D. at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1951. Her postgraduate residency training in internal medicine was done at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, where she specialized in hematology and endocrinology/metabolism. Following the completion of her residency in 1956, she established her own internal medicine practice in New York where she practiced for 40 years.

Accomplishments Wallis was commonly known as "the godmother of women's health". In 1990, a year after her resignation as president, she was the recipient of the highest award granted by AMWA, the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal. The American Medical Women's Association continued to honor Wallis by establishing the Lila A. Wallis Women's Health Award in 1998 dedicated to those whose achievements have influenced women's health.

Awards Elizabeth Blackwell Medal – 1990 (AMWA) Georgeanna Seegar Jones Lifetime Achievement Award – (Society for Advancement of Women's Health Research, Warner-Lambert Company, National Health Council) Woman of the Century Award in Women's Health – 1994 (Women's Medical Association of New York City) American College of Physician's Laureate Award – 1997 Dr. Virginia Kneeland Frantz Distinguished Woman in Medicine Award – 2002