J. Marion Sims

J. Marion Sims was a 19th-century American physician known as the "father of modern gynecology." He developed surgical techniques for treating vesicovaginal fistulas—holes between the bladder and vagina—that often resulted from childbirth. To improve his methods, Sims performed experiments on enslaved women without anesthesia, which has raised ethical concerns today. His work significantly advanced women's reproductive health, but his methods and practices are also questioned for their reliance on vulnerable populations. Understanding his contributions involves recognizing both his medical innovations and the ethical issues associated with his practices.