Home Equality & Justice Catholic who was Thailand's first female doctor honored by Google

Catholic who was Thailand’s first female doctor honored by Google

A prominent Catholic who was Thailand’s first female doctor has been celebrated by internet giant Google.

As part of Google’s Doodle tribute initiative an image of Margaret Lin Xavier, or Lin Srivisarnvaja, was featured on the search page on May 29, the date of her birthday. Lin was born 122 years ago in Bangkok to a Catholic family of Portuguese descent.

Her father held a government position in foreign affairs and when his work required a move to Europe, Lin joined him to pursue an education in London.




“She eventually earned a medical degree from the London School of Medicine for Women and then returned to Thailand in 1924,” Google said in a statement.

“At just 26 years old, Lin became the first Thai woman to earn a medical degree and practice in the country when she was accepted to work as an obstetrician for the Thai Red Cross, Chulalongkorn Hospital, and a Ministry of Public Health medical facility,” it said.

“She soon received permission from the Thai Red Cross to open her own private clinic with her sister, Chan Xavier, a pharmacist who was also trained in England. Lin provided services in obstetrics and gynecology, and she treated for free many of those who couldn’t afford her care.”

Tragically Lin died at the relatively young age of 34 after contracting encephalitis.

- Newsletter -

© Copyright LiCAS.news. All rights reserved. Republication of this article without express permission from LiCAS.news is strictly prohibited. For republication rights, please contact us at: [email protected]

Support Our Mission

We work tirelessly each day to tell the stories of those living on the fringe of society in Asia and how the Church in all its forms - be it lay, religious or priests - carries out its mission to support those in need, the neglected and the voiceless.
We need your help to continue our work each day. Make a difference and donate today.

Latest