Dr. Anna Baetjer’s career in research and teaching at The Johns Hopkins University spanned 60 years. She was a pioneer in the fields of occupational health and industrial hygiene, and is best remembered by all of us at Johns Hopkins as a great teacher whose counsel and guidance influenced our lives and careers. Dr. Baetjer’s contributions to the occupational health field began in the 1920s with studies of the effects of high temperature and humidity on workers. As her interest in workplace hazards continued to grow, her research expanded as well. Her best known research was a study of the relationship between cancer and chromium.

In 1940, Dr. Baetjer authored “Women in Industry, Their Health and Efficiency.” She was president of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and received the first Outstanding Medical Education award from the American Occupational Medicine Association. She was sought after as a consultant and served as an advisor to the National Research Council, the Industrial Health Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Army Environmental Hygiene Agency.

Dr. Baetjer received an honorary doctorate degree in public health from Woman’s Medical College in Pennsylvania, an honorary doctorate of science degree from Wheaton College, and a doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, from The Johns Hopkins University. She received the Outstanding Alumnae Achievement Award from Wellesley College in 1972.

Every year, the Department, with the support of the School and the family and friends of Anna Baetjer, hosts the Anna Baetjer Lecture. Past lecturers have included:

• Mary O. Amdur
• Mary Ellen Avery
• Margaret R. Becklake
• Eula Bingham
• Duane L. Block
• Edward A. Emmett
• Melvin W. First
• Gareth M. Green
• Maureen Henderson
• James A. Miller
• Linda Rosenstock
• Edyth H. Schoenrich