Dr. Lois Taylor Ellison was a pioneer in medicine and science.
Born in Fort Valley, GA, she was inspired as a child to pursue medicine by her grandfather, a pharmacist. When she enrolled at the Medical College of Georgia in 1943, she was one of only four women in her class.
She achieved many firsts - She helped to establish MCG's Cardiopulmonary Laboratory in 1956 and became its first director. She was also the first female provost of the Medical College of Georgia, appointed in 1975. At the time, she was the highest ranking-woman in any medical school in the United States.
Dr. Ellison was also president of the American Lung Association, receiving their highest honor in 1998.
She believed women should never underestimate their ability to succeed at the highest level.