Ruth Lawrence, MD, grew up during the Great Depression. She broke gender barriers in medicine, first at the University of Rochester and then at Yale University. She’s advanced the fields of breastfeeding and toxicology, and has been a major influence on multiple generations of scholars and clinicians.
Now, she’s reached another milestone: on August 15, Lawrence turned 100 years old, a fitting accomplishment for someone who has made the most of her time from the very beginning.
Lawrence’s journey in medicine began in the 1940s. In an era when few medical institutions admitted women, Lawrence achieved her first breakthrough by getting accepted into the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1946.
“During my final semester at Antioch (College), I applied to 10 medical schools,” said Lawrence in a 2019 interview with Rochester Review. “Many didn’t want women back then. Rochester was the first one to respond. I got a letter that said, ‘You must come for an interview. Time and money should be no object.’
Lawrence’s admission into the program marked the beginning of both her professional journey and a significant personal chapter, as it was during this time that she met the love of her life and future husband – Bob Lawrence – while studying medicine at the university. These milestones were soon followed by another pivotal opportunity: Lawrence became the first woman to be offered an internship at Yale University.
Ruth Lawrence at Yale; she was the first woman to be offered an internship in pediatrics at the institution
Her time at Yale, including the internship and a subsequent residency, introduced her to leading experts in multiple Pediatric fields. Among these practices was “rooming in,” keeping the mother and baby together after birth, and promoting breastfeeding, which was common in New Haven despite the popularity of formula feeding in the early 1950s. Driven by her enthusiasm for this field, Lawrence navigated the challenges of being in residency training and a working mother while Bob was drafted to serve in Korea. She also took on a role in the care of newborns, which shaped her career in pediatrics and neonatology.
“Around that time, Dr. Bill Bradford, the chair of pediatrics and an associate dean at University of Rochester, asked me to run the well-baby and the preemie nursery at the hospital,” she said in the interview with Rochester Review. “It was unusual for a woman to have a job like this, but I had the experience.”
At URMC, Lawrence began to write articles on the benefits of breastfeeding, and it wasn’t long before these articles gained significant traction, leading to a surge of interest. Soon, mothers were seeking her expertise and support with breastfeeding their infants, and this growing recognition established her as a leading international authority in breastfeeding medicine.
This eventually led to the publication of her seminal book, Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, first published in 1979 and currently in its 9th edition. Co-authored by her son, Robert M. Lawrence MD, starting with the 7th edition, this textbook is now translated in 9 languages and continues to be the definitive reference for clinicians worldwide on breastfeeding and lactation medicine practices.
While establishing her career, Lawrence also was required to juggle many duties that men did not have to consider.
“My husband used to say, ‘As long as the house is neat, the children are well dressed and in school and doing, and dinner is on the table, you can do what you want,’ said Lawrence in a 2019 interview, “Erma Bombeck had a famous saying, ‘Don’t let them see you sweat.’ That’s what I felt.”
Indeed, through her seven decades of service, as a career pediatrician, clinical toxicologist, neonatologist, mother of nine, and an author and educator, Lawrence didn’t sweat the small stuff. “She did everything with little help -- she would line us up, brush our hair, get us dressed and make our lunches and dinners every day.” Said Lawrence’s daughter, Barbara Asselin, MD, Pediatrician at UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital. “She did all the mom things. She was on the PTA and even served as the president for a year or two. She didn’t miss a beat.”
In addition to co-authoring her landmark textbook on breastfeeding, Lawrence founded the Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Study Center in 1985, where she served as director. This center became a cornerstone in the study and promotion of breastfeeding, reflecting her dedication to improving infant nutrition and maternal health. Additionally, she played a crucial role in the creation of Rochester’s first neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, significantly enhancing the care available to critically ill newborns and children.
Lawrence’s legacy in the field of breastfeeding has been carried on by numerous mentees she’s taught throughout the years. In 2022, The Department of Pediatrics established the Division of Breastfeeding and Lactation, one of the first dedicated divisions to the study of breastfeeding in the world. Casey Rosen-Carol, MD, MPH, chief of the Division, studied as a Fellow under Lawrence.
“Dr. Lawrence was influential in building the science and advocacy of breastfeeding, and we are thrilled to continue her legacy,” she said.
In addition to her work with breastfeeding, Lawrence was an innovator in toxicology. In 1958, she established the Poison Control Center and Drug Information Center, marking it as the second poison center in the country and the first to provide direct support to the public. This pioneering initiative set a new standard for emergency medical response and patient care.
Lawrence’s distinguished professional journey includes holding prestigious titles such as Alumna Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology and the Northumberland Trust Professorship in Pediatrics. The endowed Ruth A. Lawrence Professor in Pediatrics was established in her name and is held by Karen Wilson, MD, MPH, co-director of the University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI).
Through these achievements, Ruth Lawrence left an indelible mark on her field and set new benchmarks for excellence in pediatric medicine.
“Her achievements over the last 70 years are remarkable,” said Asselin, “She met her husband here (at the University), when they were both medical students. She believed in the mission of the University, and she believed in her work. She was such a role model and accomplished so many firsts; she didn’t take no for an answer, and she didn’t argue. She would simply say ‘Just watch me’.”
To honor Lawrence’s many lifetime achievements, her innovation in care for women and children, and her connection with the University of Rochester, the Ruth A. Lawrence Educational Fund was established in June 2024. The fund will support the educational efforts of the Division of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, both in its effort to expand fellowship-based training across the world and in local efforts to graduate learners at all levels with a solid foundation in breastfeeding knowledge.
