Mary Hancock McLean

Mary Hancock McLean (February 28, 1861 – May 17, 1930) was a physician and missionary. Born to Elijah McLean, a physician, and Mary Stafford, she enjoyed a privileged childhood with academic opportunities uncommon for girls of her time period. After graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School, she became the first woman to hold an official position at the St. Louis Female Hospital and the first woman admitted to the St. Louis Medical Society.

McLean established a private practice in obstetrics and gynecology in 1885. Concerned with young women's health and hygiene, she established the Evening Dispensary for Women in 1893, the Emmaus Home for Girls, a precursor to the St. Louis Young Women's Christian Association, in 1904, and a free evening clinic for women in 1908. Interested in continuing her missionary work abroad, McLean traveled to China and Japan, where she operated in hospitals and learned about Chinese medical education.

She practiced medicine until five months before her death and died on May 17, 1930, aged 69, in St. Louis, having never married.

Background and education Early life Mary Hancock McLean was born on February 28, 1861, to Elijah McLean, a local physician, and Mary Stafford in Washington, Missouri.

Despite his age (fifty-seven years old at the time of his daughter's birth), Elijah McLean was determined to provide her with the finest education. McLean was privately tutored until age thirteen.

Education At age thirteen, McLean enrolled in Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri and graduated with the class of 1878 three years later. She then transferred to Vassar College, from where she graduated two years later. She became the first woman to hold an official position in the city hospitals.

Emmaus Home for Girls In 1904, McLean opened the Emmaus Home for Girls with a group of women from local Protestant churches in response to the opening of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition that spring. Many rural women flocked to St. Louis to look for work and take part in the excitement of urban life. However, most earned less than five dollars per week for a ten-hour working day and suffered exploitation due to their lack of employment skills. This passion continued as she supported at least twenty Chinese and Japanese students through American medical schools. Many of them stayed in her home in St. Louis. One of her Chinese protégées, Dr. Li Yuin Tsao, became an intern for Van Hoosen once she had established a career in medicine in Chicago.

Death and legacy End of career McLean broke her wrist in 1928, forcing her to end her surgical career. However, she continued to work in her private practice in obstetrics and gynecology until a few months before her death. She never married but lived with her sister at 4339 Delmar Boulevard. At this location, she also maintained a medical office from 1914 until her death. McLean died on May 17, 1930, aged 69, in St. Louis.

Legacy McLean was considered a pioneer in St. Louis public health. Her commitment to providing for the health needs of working women is evident from her private practice in obstetrics and gynecology and creation of the Evening Dispensary for Women, Emmaus Home for Girls, and a free evening clinic. Her passion for social change and religious conviction motivated her to travel to China and Japan to continue her missionary work in that region and inspired others to do the same, such as her protégée, Bertha van Hoosen, who traveled from Canton to Peking and conducted medical operations along the way.

In addition, McLean made tremendous strides for women in the medical profession. She was the first woman to hold a position in the St. Louis city hospitals and the first female practitioner admitted to the St. Louis Medical Society. She used her influence in aiding young women, both American and Asian, in their medical careers as well.