By: Samantha Riley, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2021, French and Anthropology, IUPUI
Edited by: Bre Anne Briskey, Bicentennial Graduate Assistant
Don’t you dare call me a pioneer woman doctor. There were many good women doctors before I was graduated in 1906, Jane Ketcham in a 1960 interview[1]
Although Jane Merrill Ketcham worked as one of the first female faculty members at the Indiana University School of Medicine, she rejected the notion of being known as a pioneer in the field.
Instead, she preferred to make her mark through her dedication to the medical profession as well as aiding in the development of a medical sorority for students.[2]
Early Life and Education
Jane Merrill Ketcham was born on February 18, 1880 in Indianapolis, IN.[3] She initially lacked an interest in pursuing medicine, however, one fateful day made her change her mind. When Ketcham was in her late teenss, a neighbor approached her for help; his wife had attempted suicide by swallowing Paris Green, a highly toxic crystalline powder with a history of being used as a rodenticide and insecticide.
Ketcham, who was the only one home at the time, acted fast and was able to save the woman’s life. This incident made up her mind and set her future in motion: she was determined to become a doctor.[4] Ketcham graduated from Shortridge High School and went on to attend the Western College for Women in Oxford, OH.[5] She graduated with a bachelor of arts in 1903.[6]
Ketcham returned to Indiana and graduated from the Indiana Medical College in 1906 with her MD. Immediately after her graduation from medical college, Ketcham began to practice general medicine.[7] Opening up a general medical office in downtown Indianapolis, Ketcham worked as a house doctor for unmarried women.[8] She worked in Indianapolis for six years before becoming part of the Indiana University School of Medicine.[9]
Career
In 1912 Ketcham was hired to teach students at the Indiana University School of Medicine. When a flood devastated Indianapolis in 1913, the medical school placed Ketcham in charge of the flood relief hospital at Manual Training High School, where she provided free care to flood. [10] At first, there was mass confusion but under the direction of Ketcham and her helpers, the confusion was straightened out.[11]
Years later, in 1933, Ketcham once again offered flood relief, this time to the people of Jeffersonville, IN. Ketcham and others traveled by boat to find the victims.[12] “We rowed up and down the swollen river for five straight days, hunting for smallpox victims. I’ve never worked so hard in my life,” Dr. Ketcham reflected.[13]
Originally hired as an assistant professor, Ketcham was promoted to associate professor before finally being promoted to clinical professor of medicine, in 1934. This made her one of the school’s first female faculty members.[14]
Despite her early position at the university, Ketcham, did not consider herself to be unique, refusing the title of “pioneer female physician.”[15] Although she was a professor in clinical medicine, throughout her career, Ketcham preferred working in obstetrics.
She explained to the Indianapolis Star that, “It’s the only phase of medicine that deals with people’s happiness.” It is said that she delivered thousands of babies in her career.[16] Her role in aiding women during childbirth did not go unnoticed: people named a number of newborn girls in her honor.[17]
Contributions
Along with her devotion to medicine, Ketcham was a known suffragette, desiring equality and equal rights. She focused her passion on using her medical skills to provide medicine for those who could not otherwise access it, offering healthcare free of charge to those in need. Ketcham provided home visits to unmarried mothers and gave many hours to medical clinics. She often minimized her work as nothing more than was expected of her, saying “I always regarded that work as a civic duty and I enjoyed every minute of it.”[18]
As one of the few female physicians at the IU School of Medicine, Ketcham saw that female students were a minority and that the mostly male peer environment could be negative as they often faced discrimination. She worked with Amelia Keller, the school’s first female faculty member, to create and facilitate a medical sorority for students.
The organization would meet periodically to help students build a support network against the negativity. While Ketcham participated in the organization, students recalled her as “very stern and not very encouraging,” hence her nickname, “Dean of Indianapolis Women Physicians.”[19]
Legacy
Ketcham was appointed emeritus professor of clinical medicine in 1952.[20] Although she retired in 1953 from teaching at the Indiana University School of Medicine, she continued to practice medicine and called on patients for a period of time.
During her life, Ketcham was involved with the Marion County Medical Society and the American Medical Association.[21] She was also involved with the Woman’s Rotary Club, which she helped found.[22]
Ketcham died on September 23, 1970 at the age of 90.[23] Her 54-year career in medicine touched countless lives, including those of patients, coworkers, and students.
Bibliography
- “Dr. Jane M. Ketcham, Dies Here at Age 90.” The Indianapolis Star, September 24, 1970.
- IU Trustee Minutes, 19 September 1952, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington
- “Jane M. Ketcham Death Certificate.” Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1970; Roll:
- “Jane Merrill Ketcham, M.D.” IUPUI Office for Women. https://ofw.iupui.edu/Leadership/Online-Archive-Women-Creating-Excellence-at-IUPUI/Women-Creating-Excellence/ketcham.
- Knisely, Dorothy. “Dr. Jane, After Long Career, Semi-Retired,” The Indianapolis Star, April 24, 1960.
- “Officers and Faculty.” Indiana University Bulletin Catalog 1915 13, no. 8, pg. 35.
- Owen, Mary. “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham.” The Medical Trail Booklet.
- Van Nuys, Kathleen. “Propylaeum, AAUW Ready for Events,” The Indianapolis News, 21 April 1969.
Notes
[1] Dorothy Knisely, “Dr. Jane, After Long Career, Semi-Retired,” The Indianapolis Star, 24 April 1960.
[2] Mary Owen, “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham,” The Medical Trail Booklet.
[3] “Jane M. Ketcham Death Certificate,” Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1970; Roll: 14.
[4] Dorothy Knisely, “Dr. Jane, After Long Career, Semi-Retired,” The Indianapolis Star, 24 April 1960.
[5] “Dr. Jane M. Ketcham, Dies Here at Age 90.” The Indianapolis Star, 24 September 1970.
[6] “Officers and Faculty,” Indiana University Bulletin Catalog 1915 13, no. 8, pg. 35.
[7] Mary Owen, “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham,” The Medical Trail Booklet.
[8] “Dr. Jane M. Ketcham, Dies Here at Age 90.” The Indianapolis Star, 24 September 1970.
[9] Mary Owen, “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham,” The Medical Trail Booklet.
[10] Mary Owen, “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham,” The Medical Trail Booklet.
[11] Dorothy Knisely, “Dr. Jane, After Long Career, Semi-Retired,” The Indianapolis Star, 24 April 1960.
[12] Mary Owen, “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham,” The Medical Trail Booklet.
[13] Dorothy Knisely, “Dr. Jane, After Long Career, Semi-Retired,” The Indianapolis Star, 24 April 1960.
[14] “Jane Merrill Ketcham, M.D.” IUPUI Office for Women. https://ofw.iupui.edu/Leadership/Online-Archive-Women-Creating-Excellence-at-IUPUI/Women-Creating-Excellence/ketcham.
[15] Mary Owen, “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham,” The Medical Trail Booklet.
[16] “Dr. Jane M. Ketcham, Dies Here at Age 90.” The Indianapolis Star, 24 September 1970.
[17] Dorothy Knisely, “Dr. Jane, After Long Career, Semi-Retired,” The Indianapolis Star, 24 April 1960.
[18] Dorothy Knisely, “Dr. Jane, After Long Career, Semi-Retired,” The Indianapolis Star, 24 April 1960.
[19] Mary Owen, “Dr. Jane Merrill Ketcham,” The Medical Trail Booklet.
[20] IU Trustee Minutes, 19 September 1952, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
[21] “Dr. Jane M. Ketcham, Dies Here at Age 90.” The Indianapolis Star, 24 September 1970.
[22] Kathleen Van Nuys, “Propylaeum, AAUW Ready for Events,” The Indianapolis News, 21 April 1969.
[23] “Dr. Jane M. Ketcham, Dies Here at Age 90.” The Indianapolis Star, 24 September 1970.