Edith Smaw Quimby (née Hinkley; July 10, 1891 – October 11, 1982) was an American medical researcher and physicist, best known as one of the founders of nuclear medicine. Her work involved developing diagnostic and therapeutic applications of X-rays. One of her main concerns was protecting both those handling the radioactive material and making sure that those being treated were given the lowest dose necessary.
Her working relationship with Failla continued for another forty years. In 1942, she left Memorial Hospital and joined the Center for Radiological Research, led by Failla, at Columbia's medical school, where she worked until 1978. Her research at Memorial Hospital delved into safe doses of medicinal radiation, observing the energy emitted by potential materials for nuclear medicine as well as the amount of radiation absorbed by the body from different sources. She also studied the potential of synthesised radioactive materials for treating cancer and in other medical research applications.[citation needed]
In 1962 she released a paper titled "Late Radiation Effects in Roentgen Therapy for Hyperthyroidism" where she suggested ceasing all Roentgen therapy (radiation therapy) until we had a better idea of how this kind of treatment affected patients in the long term.
Personal life
She was one of three children of Arthur S. Hinkley, a farmer and architect, and Harriet Hinkley. She married Shirley Leon Quimby in 1915.
Publications
Quimby, E.H.; Werner, S.C. (1949), "Late radiation effects in Roentgen therapy for hyperthyroidism", JAMA, 140 (12): 1046–1047, doi:10.1001/jama.1949.02900470050018
Glasser, O.; Quimby, E. H.; Taylor, L. S.; Weatherwax, J. L. (1944), Physical Foundations of Radiology, New York: Hoeber (translated into Spanish by oncologist Maruja Clavier)
Howes, R. H.; Herzenberg, C. L. (2015), "7 Other women physicists", After the War: Women in Physics in the United States, San Rafael, CA, USA: Morgan & Claypool, doi:10.1088/978-1-6817-4094-2ch7, ISBN978-1-6817-4094-2
McDonald, Shirley B. (1996). "Edith Smaw Hinckley Quimby". In Shearer, Benjamin F.; Shearer, Barbara S. (eds.). Notable Women in the Life Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. pp. 335–339. ISBN0313293023.