Ada Paterson
{{Short description|New Zealand school medical doctor (1880–1937)}}
{{distinguish|Ada Patterson}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox medical person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Ada Paterson
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Portrait of Ada Gertrude Paterson.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Ada Gertrude Paterson
| birth_date = {{birth date|1880|6|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dunedin, New Zealand
| death_date = {{death date and age|1937|8|26|1880|6|6|df=y}}
| death_place = Wellington, New Zealand
| education =
| occupation = Health administrator
| years_active = 1908–1936
| known_for =
| relations =
| profession = Doctor
| field = Paediatrics
| work_institutions =
| specialism =
| notable_works =
| prizes =
| signature =
}}
Ada Gertrude Paterson (6 June 1880 – 26 August 1937) was a New Zealand school medical doctor, child health administrator and community worker.
Early life and education
Paterson was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1880.{{DNZB|title=Ada Gertrude Paterson|first= Margaret|last= Tennant|authorlink=Margaret Tennant|id=3p13|accessdate=13 October 2016}} Her father was librarian at the Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute. Paterson attended Otago Girls' High School, before studying medicine at the University of Otago. She graduated in 1906, and travelled to the University of Dublin for further training.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19370827.2.38.1|title=Dr. Ada Paterson|date=27 August 1937|work=Evening Post|access-date=14 July 2019}}
Career
She returned to New Zealand and commenced practising medicine in Picton in 1908. Paterson was appointed a Medical Inspector of Schools in 1912, initially based in Dunedin but then in Wellington from 1916.{{Cite journal|date=October 1937|title=Dr Ada Paterson|journal=New Zealand Medical Journal|volume=36|pages=333–334}} She was one of the four women doctors in the School Medical Service: the others were Dr Margaret McCahon in Auckland, Dr Eleanor McLaglan in Christchurch and Dr Emily Irwin in Dunedin.{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1011529111|title=Make her praises heard afar : New Zealand women overseas in World War One|last=Tolerton|first=Jane|publisher=Booklovers Books|year=2017|isbn=978-0-473-39965-8|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=150|oclc=1011529111}} In 1923 Paterson was promoted to Director of the School Hygiene Division of the Department of Health.
In 1935 Paterson represented New Zealand at a conference associated with the League of Nations held in Geneva.
She was dedicated to working for the welfare of children. Her obituary recorded that 'her wise and sympathetic handling of many of the problems of childhood earned her the esteem and affection of many generations of school children and their parents, as well as the confidence of the educational authorities'.
Community activities
Paterson was the first chairperson of the Wellington District Children's Health Camp Association and was influential in the running of the Ōtaki Children's Health Camp.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19370915.2.21|title=Dr. Ada Paterson|date=15 September 1937|work=Evening Post|access-date=14 July 2019}} She was also involved with the kindergarten movement. She was a member of the New Zealand Women's University Federation and served on that organisation's committee.
Death and funeral
Paterson died on 26 August 1937 in Wellington.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19370827.2.38.1|title=Dr. Ada Paterson|date=27 August 1937|work=Evening Post|access-date=15 July 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T2-ZQMZ-7?i=115&cc=1865481|title=Probate records 1937 P61606/37-P61667/37|date=29 October 1937|website=FamilySearch.org|access-date=15 July 2019}} Her funeral and cremation were held on 28 August 1937.{{Cite web|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemeteries-search/details?id=2022&serviceType=Cremation&previousPage=%2fservices%2fcommunity-and-culture%2fcemeteries%2fcemeteries-search%2fresults%3fserviceType%3dAll%26firstNames%3dAda%26lastName%3dPaterson%26fromDate%3d01%252f01%252f1840%26toDate%3d14%252f07%252f2019%26cemetery%3dAll|title=Cremation records|website=Wellington City Council|date=12 July 2012 |language=en-NZ|access-date=2019-07-14}} Her pallbearers included the Minister of Health Peter Fraser, the Director General of Health Michael Watt, the Director-General, Mental Hospitals Department Dr T. Gray and the Director of Education T. N. Lambourne.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19370902.2.171.13|title=Late Dr. Paterson|date=2 September 1937|work=Evening Post|access-date=14 July 2019}} Her ashes are buried at her family plot in the Northern Cemetery in Dunedin.{{Cite web|url=http://www.northerncemetery.org.nz/burial/43|title=Paterson, Ada Gertrude|date=2003|website=www.northerncemetery.org.nz|access-date=2019-07-14}}
References
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Category:Medical doctors from Dunedin
Category:20th-century New Zealand women medical doctors
Category:20th-century New Zealand medical doctors
Category:Burials at Dunedin Northern Cemetery
Category:University of Otago alumni
Category:New Zealand public servants