Fe del Mundo's story is both fascinating and complex. According to her biography, she is credited as the first woman to gain admission to Harvard Medical School in 1936. However, this claim is contentious since the institution officially did not begin accepting female students until 1945—almost a decade later.

When asked about her status as a pioneer, Dr. Fe del Mundo remarked to The Medical Observer:

“The first — coming from this far.”

Upon her arrival in Cambridge, she was assigned to a men's dormitory due to the absence of accommodations for women. Despite the initial mix-up, she was allowed to stay.

“[Del Mundo] humorously recounts her surprise at being placed in a male dorm upon arriving in Boston, as Harvard officials had inadvertently admitted a female to their all-male cohort. However, due to her strong academic record, the head of the pediatrics department saw no reason to deny her admission. Thus, she became the first woman from the Philippines and the only female student at Harvard Medical School at that time.”

Del Mundo's enrollment at Harvard occurred during a time when the institution was predominantly male, with women often relegated to roles as staff or supporters. This reflects a broader societal context where patriarchal norms prevailed, impacting women's opportunities in education and beyond.

In 1879, Radcliffe College was established as a counterpart to Harvard, intending to provide women with access to higher education. However, the relationship between the two institutions was fraught, with women from Radcliffe often seen as inferior, and their achievements undermined by Harvard's administration.

Fe del Mundo's unique position as a woman and a member of a visible minority likely made her experience at Harvard particularly challenging. There are no extant records to confirm her attendance, which raises questions about her claimed status as a student.

On November 27, 2018, Google Doodle honored her legacy on what would have been her 107th birthday, highlighting her significant contributions to pediatrics.

"A gifted student who became the first woman admitted to Harvard Medical School, del Mundo returned home after completing her studies in the U.S. During World War II, she established a hospice where she treated over 400 children and later served as the director of a government hospital."

Joan Ilacqua, an archivist at Harvard, investigated the claims surrounding Del Mundo's admission and found that while she was a remarkable figure, evidence of her enrollment as a medical student remains largely anecdotal. According to Ilacqua, Del Mundo earned her medical degree from the University of the Philippines in 1933 and later came to Boston for pediatric studies, likely completing her work through Boston Children’s Hospital rather than as a formal student at Harvard.

Del Mundo’s studies were funded by Philippine President Manuel Quezon, who offered to pay for her medical education at any U.S. institution, a testament to her exceptional academic abilities.

Despite speculation about Harvard possibly erasing her records due to an embarrassing oversight, it appears that she may not have been officially admitted at all.

Dr. Fe del Mundo was a distinguished individual who graduated as class valedictorian from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in 1933. Motivated to pursue a career in medicine by the loss of her sister, she received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1977, often regarded as Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Her Google Doodle page articulates her commitment to child care:

“I’m glad that I have been very much involved in the care of children, and that I have been relevant to them,” says Filipina physician Fe del Mundo. “They are the most outstanding feature in my life.”

Born in Manila in 1911, Del Mundo, often referred to as "The Angel of Santo Tomas," dedicated her life to improving pediatric healthcare and revolutionized the field in the Philippines. She established the first pediatric hospital in the country and continued her work in child healthcare until she was 99, even in her later years when she required a wheelchair.

Del Mundo’s legacy is profound; she published significant research, authored a definitive Textbook of Pediatrics, and founded the Institute of Maternal and Child Health to train future medical professionals. She was honored as the first woman to be designated as a National Scientist of the Philippines, earning numerous accolades for her service to humanity.

Harvard has a history of neglecting the accomplishments of women, particularly women of color. While the lack of documented evidence about Del Mundo's time at the institution raises concerns, it is essential to focus on her impactful life rather than just her association with Harvard.

Ultimately, her contributions to pediatrics and her dedication to helping countless children far outweigh any debate over her enrollment status.

Thank you for reading, and a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Fe del Mundo.