Charlotte Yhlen & Marie K. Formad: Strangers in a Strange Land

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #072 - Segment 3

In the mid-19th century, women from around the world flocked to Philadelphia in order to become physicians. 

Everyone has seen the Frederick Gutekunst photo of three medical students from India, Japan, and Syria.

Charlotte Yhlen came from Sweden and became the first Scandinavian-born woman physician but couldn't get work in her home country so returned to the United States.

Marie K. Formad was from Russia. She became one of the premiere gynecologic surgeons in the country.

Drs. Yhlen and Formad are buried at Laurel Hill West.