Archbold Remembers Dr. Mary Josephine Erickson

Archbold Remembers Dr. Mary Josephine Erickson

Mary Josephine Erickson, MD, was the first female member of the John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital medical staff. Today, Archbold remembers Dr. Erickson and her trailblazing career.

Mary Josephine Erickson was born on July 2, 1892. She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Medicine in 1917 and joined the medical staff of the City Hospital in 1923. City Hospital, a predecessor of Archbold, was located at the corner of Hansell Street and Gordon Avenue in Thomasville.

Dr. Erickson was an original member of the Archbold medical staff, serving patients since the hospital’s opening in 1925. She received the American Cancer Society’s Certificate of Achievement and was an honorary member of the American College of Physicians.

According to Archbold historian Chip Bragg’s research, Dr. Erickson was occasionally called upon to provide anesthesia services, in addition to her primary role as Archbold’s pathologist.

In 1930, the trustees of John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital allocated $300 to send her to Baltimore to find out how maggots were cultured at Johns Hopkins for use in treating bone infections and to determine whether or not the necessary equipment could be reasonably obtained and brought home to Thomasville.

“She accomplished both tasks,” said Bragg. “Several times, she threatened to resign from the medical staff for various reasons, her salary being one of them, but she was such a valued staff member that the board of trustees always negotiated for her to stay,” he added.

Dr. Erickson married local physician Dr. Charles H. Ferguson in 1937. She was active in the Thomasville community and was a member of the Killarney Queen Garden Club.

Dr. Mary Josephine Erickson Ferguson retired from active medical practice in 1944. She died at her home on Love Street on May 3, 1970, and was buried in Michigan.

For more Archbold historical facts and centennial information, including details about Chip Bragg’s soon-to-be-released book on Archbold’s history, please visit www.archbold.org/100.