MB ChB
(B. 1890 – D. 1928)
At 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s 1906 - 1907
Dr Caroline (Carrie) Shield was the first 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø's student to graduate in Medicine. From Bundaberg, she attended 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s from 1906 to 1907 before studying medicine at the University of Melbourne between 1913 and 1917. Upon graduation, Carrie etched her name in 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s history as the school’s first doctor. In October 1917, she was registered to work in Victoria and in 1918 in Queensland.
Dr Shield worked in Queensland at the Children's and the General Hospitals as a locum doctor. Shortly afterwards she took an appointment at a hospital and quarantine station in Lytton, handling an epidemic of pneumonic influenza. When an influenza hospital was established at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds, she later took an appointment there.
She married Dr Noel Charles Kelleher Lane in 1922. Dr Lane was born in Melbourne and moved to Brisbane as a child with his family. His father was a notable medical man in Brisbane. He completed a BSc from The University of Queensland before graduating in Medicine from the University of Melbourne in 1921. At the time there was no Medical School in Queensland.
Carrie passed away in 1928 at the age of 33 years after being an 'invalid for some years'. Dr Lane died in 1937.
Dr Shield’s career achievements in the medical profession were significant during a time when there were very few female doctors.
Thank you to 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø's Old Girl Dr Jean Douglas ('63) for providing her research to add to this profile of Dr Shield's personal and career journey.
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