DR. ADA GERTRUDE PATERSON

Northern Advocate, 27 August 1937, Page 4

DR. ADA GERTRUDE PATERSON

OBITUARY

.Per Press Association. Copyright.'] WELLINGTON, This Day. The death occurred last night of Dr. Ada Gertrude Paterson, one of the best known women in the New Zealand medical profession. She made the welfare of children her life work, being closely identified with the health camp and kindergarten movements. Dr. Paterson was born in Otago in 1880. After a distinguished school career, she graduated at the University of Otago in 1906. Subsequently, Dr. Paterson proceeded to Great Britain for post-graduate study, taking additional qualifications at Dublin University. On returning to the Dominion she practised her profession for some years in Picton. In 1912 Dr. Paterson accepted an appointment as medical inspector of schools at Dunedin, being one of the original inspectors appointed that year. Government Appointment. In 1916 she was transferred to Wellington and in 1923, on the retirement of Dr. E. H. Wilkins, Dr. Paterson was appointed Director of the School Hygiene Division of the Department of Health, a position which she filled with distinction up to the time of her! death.

j Dr. Paterson was a member of the i committee of the New Zealand Uni- ! versity Women’s Federation and was j an official visitor to the Women’s Borstal Institution. After entering the service of the Government, Dr. PaterI son travelled abroad on two occasions. ! Her last trip was in 1925, on which occasion she represented New Zealand at_ an important conference connected with the League of Nations at Geneva.