On June 7, 1909, when Virginia Apgar was born in Westfield, New Jersey, her parents probably didn't realize she would do "more to improve the health of mothers, babies and unborn infants than anyone in the twentieth century," as former Surgeon General Julius Richmond believed.

Virginia Apgar, M.D., developed the Apgar Score in 1952, a clinical system for evaluating an infant's physical condition at birth. The test, administered at one minute and five minutes after birth checks for heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response and color. This, her greatest contribution to the field, was the first standardized method for evaluating a newborn's transition to life outside the womb. By the end of the decade, it became standard practice in obstetrical care throughout the world, and remains so today.

In the United States alone, there have been over 200 million births since the Apgar Score was implemented. As the score provides insight to a newborn's initial health and alerts doctors to the need for resuscitation or other special immediate care, Ms. Apgar's contribution to pediatrics has saved countless lives.

Dr. Apgar worked from 1959 until her death in 1974 for the March of Dimes heading programs and research in the causes, prevention and treatment of birth defects.You can help to continue her legacy by donating today!