Sally Abston

Sally Abston (1934 – 2008) was an American surgeon and scientist. She is noted as the first woman surgical resident at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston (UTMB), where she also worked as part of the faculty.

Biography Abston was born in Refugio, Texas, on May 29, 1934, to Charles Richard Abston and Susie Abston. She grew up in Fort Worth and Houston.

Career Abston taught at UTMB for 17 years and was also the director of its Blocker Burn Unit. She also worked for the Shriners Burns Hospital where she treated children. This hospital is noted for developing innovations covering burn care in children. Abston is credited for developing garment compression for burn treatment that improved the appearance of scars.

Abston was also cited as the pioneer in Ketamine anesthesia in the treatment of pediatric burn as well as the use of early excision and grafting in burn care.

Abston died on August 27, 2008, in Galveston due to kidney failure and hypertension.

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