Healthcare Pioneer, Westfield Native Honored With New Exhibit In 2026

WESTFIELD, NJ — Dr. Virginia Apgar, the physician credited with a groundbreaking new way to assess the immediate health of newborn babies, is being honored with a new exhibit at the headquarters of the Westfield Historical Society.

Apgar studied at Mt. Holyoke College and Columbia University before going on to create the first standardized way to monitor the health of babies in the minutes after birth.

Using a point scale, appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex irritability), activity (tone), and respiration were all graded and used to take appropriate actions for care. This "APGAR Score," according to the Westfield Historical Society, is credited with saving the lives of countless newborn babies around the world.

Apgar is a member of the Westfield Hall of Fame, New Jersey Hall of Fame, the National Women's Hall of Fame, and has been featured on a United States stamp.

Beginning on Jan. 25, the field Historical Society headquarters at 314 Mountain Ave. will house "Keeping Score: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Virginia Apgar" from 2 to 4 p.m.

The educational tribute will then be available to visit on Sundays through the end of 2026.

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