8. Virginia Apgar (also known for the Apgar score)

Virginia Apgar was an American physician and anesthesiologist, best known for developing the Apgar score, a quick assessment tool used to evaluate the health of newborns immediately after birth. Introduced in 1952, the Apgar score measures five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace response (reflexes), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing effort). Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2, with a total score ranging from 0 to 10. This quick evaluation helps healthcare providers determine if a newborn needs immediate medical attention, ultimately improving neonatal care and survival rates.