Eileen Niedfield

Eileen Rae Niedfield (June 16, 1920 – March 19, 2007), also known by her religious name Mary Frederic Niedfield MMS, was an American surgeon, general physician, and religious sister of the Medical Mission Sisters. She worked for nearly 40 years in India and for two years in Bhutan. Niedfield was in the first cohort of Georgetown University Medical School alumni that included women, graduating in 1951 as valedictorian and with the highest national board grades in pathology in the United States.

In her work in India and Bhutan from 1955 to 1992, she served many Muslim women whose husbands and fathers would not allow them to be treated by male doctors. Some of the postings were remote, where people otherwise had no access to medical care. Her work brought her to the attention of Mother Teresa, whose nursing sisters shared training and facilities with her congregation.

When she returned to the United States in 1992, Niedfield moved to San Diego to serve HIV/AIDS patients because she believed the need was great. She also carried out part-time volunteer work at St. Vincent de Paul Village-Joan Kroc Medical Clinic for individuals experiencing homelessness.