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Dr. Louise Koester
The 1920s did not see many women doctors, however Louise Koester beat the odds and become the first doctor in Mount Prospect. Born in Hanover, Germany Louise came to the United States in hopes of becoming a medical missionary to Africa. She attended Wheaton College studying medicine and dreamed of using her training in Africa. While looking for a hospital to complete her residency, Louise faced gender discrimination for the first time. It was hard for her to find a hospital that would allow her to train since the majority only allowed women to train as nurses. She fortunately learned about Mary Thompson Hospital which was the first all-women staffed hospital located in Chicago. Mary Thompson Hospital accepted Louise and she completed her training there.
Louise first heard of Mount Prospect through her friend and colleague, Dr. John Renner of Palatine. Dr. Renner told Louise of Mount Prospect’s need of a doctor in the growing community of 450. However Louise still dreamed about going to Africa. As a devoutly religious woman, she decided to leave the decision up to God. After long meditation, Louise decided that it was her calling to go to Mount Prospect and help the small community in need of a doctor.
Dr. Koester felt at home in Mount Prospect immediately. The community was largely populated by German- immigrants and her ethnic background was an asset. She soon opened an office inside her house, charging two dollars for office calls and three dollars for house calls. Soon after Dr. Koester opened shop another doctor also moved to town. Realizing the need for a hospital, Dr. Koester and Dr. Wolforth opened up the first hospital for accident victims. When asked what it was like being a doctor at the time Louise commented, “It was very hard to be a doctor then for there were no antibiotics and the training included making all of the medicines we gave to patients. Many times it was hard to decide what to do for a patient so I did my best and prayed.” There were no specialists and Louise saw to illnesses as common as a cold and as extreme as cancer.
A local doctor was reported to have said: “She won’t stay there very long, she’ll last only two weeks or maybe a few months. Who wants to go to a woman doctor anyway?” After twenty-six years of dedicated service, the Village of Mount Prospect acknowledged Dr. Koester’s work in a special proclamation in 1965. This year also saw her receiving the Woman of Achievement award from the Mount Prospect Business and Professional Women’s Club and special honors from Wheaton College.