Sara Murray Jordan (1884-1959)

Sara Murray Jordan was a pioneering gastroenterologist whose work transformed the approach to treating peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1884, she initially pursued the classics at Radcliffe College—earning a bachelor’s degree in 1904—and later completed a PhD in classical philology and archaeology at the University of Munich. Although her early aspirations in medicine were discouraged by her family, Jordan's passion for healing eventually led her to enroll in Tufts University School of Medicine in 1917.

Overcoming early obstacles—including a probationary admission that required her to study extra courses in chemistry and zoology—Jordan’s determination prevailed when an investigation by the American Medical Association resulted in the lifting of her probation. During her studies, she collaborated with Frank Lahey on thyroid disease research, co-authoring a paper before graduating in 1921. Following an internship at Worcester Memorial Hospital and specialized training in gastroenterology under Bertram Welton Sippy at Rush Medical College, she opened a private practice in Brookline, Massachusetts.

In 1923, Jordan joined the newly formed Lahey Clinic in Boston as its head gastroenterologist. Her leadership and expertise were further recognized when she was appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition in 1934. In 1942, she made history as the first woman elected president of the American Gastroenterological Association, a role she continued into a second term the following year. Known for advocating conservative, non-surgical treatments based on diet, recreation, and rest, she earned the trust of a diverse patient base that included notable figures like The New Yorker founder Harold Ross—whose encouragement led her to co-author the cookbook Good Food for Bad Stomachs in 1951.

After retiring from active medical practice in 1958, Jordan continued to influence public health with her newspaper column, “Health and Happiness.” She spent her later years in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with her second husband, Penfield Mower. Sara Murray Jordan’s remarkable career came to an end in 1959 when she succumbed to colon cancer at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to advancing the field of gastroenterology.

Sara Murray Jordan is buried in 8152 on Narcissus Path at Mount Auburn Cemetery.