Dr. Mary Jackson 1904-2000
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Mary Percy Jackson graduated from the University of Birmingham in England in 1927 with degrees in surgery and medicine. Two years later, a co-worker drew her attention to a job advertisement in the British Medical Journal. It was seeking a female doctor to serve in Alberta, Canada:
Jackson took the job and was based in Battle River Prairie, and later moved to Keg River, even farther north. In these early days there were eight deliveries of mail a year, no roads, no electricity, no telegraph lines and no services.
Jackson was the first — and only— doctor in the Battle River District when it had no roads, no electricity, no telegraph lines and no services. Before her arrival, finding the nearest doctor involved a 3-day journey south. Because she was so far away from hospitals, Jackson set up equipment in various parts of the house so that she could do her own laboratory work and X-rays.
Believing that disease prevention was the best medicine, she and her husband were instrumental in establishing the school, the hospital, the community center, and a library, all while raising their family.
Jackson took the job and was based in Battle River Prairie, and later moved to Keg River, even farther north. In these early days there were eight deliveries of mail a year, no roads, no electricity, no telegraph lines and no services.
Jackson was the first — and only— doctor in the Battle River District when it had no roads, no electricity, no telegraph lines and no services. Before her arrival, finding the nearest doctor involved a 3-day journey south. Because she was so far away from hospitals, Jackson set up equipment in various parts of the house so that she could do her own laboratory work and X-rays.
Believing that disease prevention was the best medicine, she and her husband were instrumental in establishing the school, the hospital, the community center, and a library, all while raising their family.