The Trailblazing Doctor of Aintab: Dr Caroline F. Hamilton's Impact

Dr. Caroline F. Hamilton, a physician from the USA, made waves in the late 19th century Ottoman Empire. She spent three decades caring for patients, largely women, at the Azariah Smith Memorial Hospital in Aintab. Her journey wasn't easy; she faced legal, cultural, and political hurdles. But she persevered and became one of the first women to practice medicine there. Her work was vital, especially for Muslim women who had limited access to male doctors.She also trained local health workers, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare in the region. Hamilton's resilience shone through during wars, epidemics, and humanitarian crises. Her story shows how gender, medicine, and missionary work intersected in a complex political climate, and how she brought Western medical practices to the Ottoman Empire.