Developed methods of calculating biologically effective, i.e absorbed, dosages of radiation. Regarded as a primary contributor to development of nuclear medicine. At the New York City Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases measured the generation and penetration of various forms of radiation to make exact dosages of radiotherapy possible. [11 EY1]

Developed and taught techniques for disposal of radioactive wastes occurring in hospitals, and procedures for cleaning up accidental radioactive spills. [11 EY1]

Application of radioactive isotopes in the treatment of thyroid disease, and for circulation studie and diagnoses of brain tumors." [1J N20]

Research in the use of artifically produced radioactive sodium in medical research, including the protection of those handling radioactive substances from the harmful effects. [1J N20]

"Physical Factors in Interstitial Radium Therapy", American Journal of Roentgenology and Radium Therapy 33, 306-316, (1935).

"Back Scatter" , American Journal of Roentgenology and Radium Therapy 39 , 799-815, (1938); with L.D. Marinelli and J.H. Farrow.

"Radium Protection", Journal of Applied Physics 10 , 604-608, (1939)

"The Specification of Dosage in Radium Therapy," American Journal of Roentgenology (1941).

"Radioactive Sodium as a Tool in Medical Research," American Journal of Roentgenology and Radium Therapy (December 1947).

Radioactive Isotopes in Clinical Practice. Lea & Febiger, 1958; with Sergei Feitelberg and Solomon Silver.

Safe Handling of Radioactive Isotopes in Medical Practice. Macmillan, 1960.

Physical Foundations of Radiology. Harper, 1970; with Paul N. Goodwin.

Fellow, American College of Radiology

Janeway Medal, American Radium Society 1940

Honorary Sc.D., Whitman College 1940

Gold Medal, Radiological Society of North America 1941

Achievement Medal, International Women's Exposition of Arts and Industries 1947

Lord and Taylor American Design Award 1949

Honorary Sc.D., Rutgers University 1957

Medal of the American Cancer Society 1957

Gold Medal, Inter-American College of Radiology 1958

Gold Medal, American College of Radiology 1963

1914-15 Assistant in Physics, University of California, Berkeley

1919-32 Assistant Physicist, New York City Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases

1932-42 Associate Physicist, New York City Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases

1941-42 Assistant Professor of Radiology, Medical College, Cornell University

1942-54 Associate Professor of Radiological Physics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University

1954-60 Professor of Radiological Physics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University

1960-82 Emeritus Professor of Radiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univeristy

B.S. Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington 1912
M.A. University of California, Berkeley 1916

References consulted

[1 N20], [4A AMWS], [39L CBY], [11 EY1], [29 WWWS], [51 MJB], [pt1982hr]

First woman, and second non-physician, to win the Janeway Medal.

"Quimby's exceptional service to radiological physics was widely recognized." --- H. H. Rossi [pt1982hr]

Member, League of Women Voters

Married Shirley L. Quimby and they had four children.

Some Professional Activities:
Vice-president (1929) and President (1954) American Radium Society

Chaired the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements Committee and served as a consultant on radiation therapy for the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Field Editor: Frieda Stahl