In Memoriam: Mildred Stahlman, 1922-2024

Mildred T. Stahlman, professor of pediatrics and pathology, microbiology, and immunology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenessee, passed away on June 29. She was 101 years old.

In 1943, Dr. Stahlman was admitted to Vanderbilt University’s medical school as one of only four women in a class of 50 students. Soon after completing her medical education and residencies in 1951, she was appointed as an instructor of pediatrics at the Vanderbilt medical school, where she taught for the remainder of her life. At the time of her death, she was still an appointed faculty member at the university, marking a career that spanned more than seven decades.

Dr. Stahlman’s career was dedicated to advancing the treatment of lung disease in premature infants. Early into her tenure with Vanderbilt, she began to research hyaline membrane disease, a severe lung disease with a significantly high-risk for mortality. In 1961, she successfully utilized an “iron-lung” machine to save a premature infant born with respiratory complications. She went on to establish one of the first newborn intensive care units (NICU) dedicated to newborn babies with lung diseases. She also created Vanderbilt University’s division of neonatology, a pediatric field specializing in the care of infants immediately after birth.

For her many contributions to the field of pediatrics, Vanderbilt University recognized Dr. Stahlman as a Distinguished Alumna in 2004. Although the original NICU she founded in the 1970s has since  transitioned to another space, the university honored her by establishing the Stahlman Suite, a resuscitation unit for newborns who need immediate help before moving to a NICU in one of Vanderbilt’s affiliated hospitals.

Outside of the Vanderbilt community, Dr. Stahlman’s medical discoveries earned national recognition from numerous professional organizations. She was a member of the Institute of Medicine and served as president of the American Pediatrics Society, which presented her with their highest honor, the John Howland Medal.

Dr. Stahlman completed her undergraduate education and medical degree at Vanderbilt University.