View source for Susan La Flesche Picotte

'''Susan La Flesche Picotte''' (''pronunciation: soo-zan la fleshe pi-kot'') was the first [[Native American]] woman to become a [[physician]] in the [[United States]]. She was born on June 17, 1865, and died on September 18, 1915. 

==Etymology==
The name "Susan" is of [[Hebrew]] origin, meaning "lily". "La Flesche" is a [[French]] surname, meaning "the arrow". "Picotte" is also a French surname, which does not have a specific known meaning.

==Early Life and Education==
Susan La Flesche Picotte was born into the [[Omaha tribe]] in [[Nebraska]]. She attended the [[Hampton Institute]], a [[Historically Black Colleges and Universities|historically black college]], and later the [[Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania]], where she graduated at the top of her class in 1889.

==Career==
After graduation, Picotte returned to Nebraska to serve her tribe as a physician. She worked tirelessly to provide medical care to the Omaha tribe, often working 20-hour days and traveling up to 450 miles a week. In 1913, she opened the first hospital on a Native American reservation.

==Legacy==
Picotte's work has had a lasting impact on Native American healthcare. She advocated for public health reforms and better living conditions for her tribe. Her hospital continues to serve the Omaha tribe today.

==Related Terms==
* [[Public Health]]
* [[Historically Black Colleges and Universities]]
* [[Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania]]
* [[Omaha tribe]]
* [[Native American healthcare]]

[[Category:Physicians]]
[[Category:Native American]]
[[Category:Women in medicine]]
[[Category:Public Health]]
[[Category:Historically Black Colleges and Universities]]
[[Category:Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Omaha tribe]]
[[Category:Native American healthcare]]

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