Sarah Vasen

Until age 16, Vasen attended public school in Quincy. After finishing her public school education, Vasen began studying with Dr. Melinda Knapheide-Germann. Knapheide-Germann was one of the first female doctors to practice medicine in Quincy. Vasen trained with Knapheide-Germann for the next two years. In 1890, Vasen began studying medicine at the Keokuk College of Medicine. Keokuk was the first coeducation American medical college specializing in gynecology and obstetrics practices. She graduated on March 8, 1892, the first Jewish female graduate in the college history. In 1897, Vasen enrolled in postgraduate training in obstetrics in Philadelphia. During this time, Vasen began a physician and then the superintendent at the Jewish Maternity House. == Medical career ==

Upon graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Quincy, Illinois and in 1902 became attending gynecologist at Quincy's Blessing Hospital. Vasen had spent her life invested in the Jewish community, and in 1898 she accepted a position as a physician and superintendent at Philadelphia's Jewish Maternity Home. She was recognized publicly for her incredibly efficient and careful work at Kaspare Cohn. Work in the Jewish community Sarah Vasen was raised in a Jewish home and Jewish community. She devoted her medical career to the underprivileged in the Jewish community of Los Angeles, specifically the women and children. Vasen contributed a great deal to the Jewish community when she served as a physician and superintendent at Philadelphia's Jewish Maternity Home in the years following her graduation from medical school. The Jewish Maternity Home was a place for Jewish immigrants seeking medical care, but that were too poor to afford it anywhere else. Sarah Vasen also devoted her time to the education of the Jewish community. She was a prominent figure in the Jewish religious school for children. Vasen, then residing in Glendale, took part in organizing a religious school for the children of the town's Jewish community. == Personal life ==

Vasen was the only daughter of Gerson (George) Vasen and Catherine Eschner Vasen out of nine children. In 1911, Vasen met Saul Frank, a newly retired businessman. The couple married in 1915 and settled in Glendale. Frank died of a heart attack on August 24, 1924, Vasen never remarried. Vasen died on August 21, 1944, from complications of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was buried in East Los Angeles in Home of Peace Memorial Park. == References ==