Virdimura ( fl. 1376) was a Sicilian Jewish doctor, the first woman officially certified to practice medicine in Sicily. ^[1]

Biography

Though few biographical details of Virdimura are known, she was a Jewish woman living in Catania, Sicily, in the 14th century. ^{[2] [3]}

She was trained in the practice of Jewish medicine, perhaps by her husband, Pasquale de Medico of Catania, who was also thought to be a physician. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} It is not known if Pasquale was Jewish or not. ^[7]

She obtained a royal license to practice medicine across the island of Sicily on November 7, 1376, with the approval of the doctors of King Frederick's royal court. ^{[8] [9]} Virdimura was asked to complete exams for the certification. ^[6] Her patients also testified on her behalf, and the licensing documentation notes that the examiners took into consideration the "praise universally given her." ^{[10] [11]}

With this, she became the first woman physician with this designation on the island. She subsequently traveled throughout Sicily treating patients. ^[2]

Virdimura particularly focused on treating poor and disabled patients, charging them less for her services than her male contemporaries. ^{[2] [4] [12]} This also likely meant that she treated both female and male patients, and both Jews and gentiles. ^{[6] [13]}

Legacy

The International Virdimura Award, which recognizes doctors with a humanitarian mission, is named for her. ^[1]

A square in Catania, in the San Giovanni Galermo [ it] district, was also named in her honor in 2020. ^[14]

References