1899-1994
Dr. Eva Brodkin was the first female board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey. She practiced in Newark from 1927 to 1977 and was also chief of dermatology at St. Barnabas Newark in the 1960s. Eva said being a doctor was, “the only thing I wanted to be.” “I always wanted to be a doctor, never a nurse.”
Eva was president of the NJ Dermatological Society and president of the New Jersey Woman’s Medical Association. In 1964, she was named the woman of the year by the later organization.
Eva grew up in Califon NJ (born in Brooklyn), daughter of a doctor. She graduated from the Medical College of PA in 1924 and interned at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield. She said, “I was the first woman ever to intern at Muhlenberg. I guess I did alright because other women have interned there.” She began as a general practitioner and moved to dermatology in 1931. She was married to Henry Brodkin, also a doctor.
Bibliography
Cummings, Charles F. Newark’s trailblazing heroines shaped the city’s future Star Ledger Mar 9, 2000
Winter, Ruth, “She heeded Dad’s advice became woman of the year” Star Ledger Apr 12, 1964
Cornell University 1920 yearbook (Photo, Ancestry.com)
“Dr. Eva Brodkin, 95, pioneer dermatologist” Star Ledger May 16, 1994
“‘Lady’ Doctor 40 Years” Newark News Apr 15, 1964
“Dr. [Henry] Brodkin Looks Back” Newark News Jan 22, 1967
“Doctor Teams Work Doubly Hard” Newark News Feb 21, 1954