Hazel I. Holst, 83, surgeon

Hazel I. Holst, 83, of Swarthmore, a trailblazer for women in the field of plastic surgery, died Thursday, April 9, of complications after surgery at Crozer Chester Medical Center.

Born in Minneapolis, she graduated in 1949 from Washburn High School and from the University of Minnesota in 1954. She was determined to go to the latter's medical school, her family said, but was denied admission by administrators on the pretext that she was married and had a child, so the training would be wasted.

But she was accepted by the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, where she found a mentor in Alma Dea Morani, a pioneering plastic and reconstructive surgeon and noted sculptor.

"Dr. Morani's stories of persistence against all odds became an inspiration to the young Hazel Holst," her family said in a prepared statement.

Dr. Holst trained in Washington and Pikeville, Ky., before returning to Philadelphia to accept a residency in general surgery at Women's Medical College, now the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She completed a two-year plastic surgery residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and was based for the rest of her career in its department of surgery as one of the first titled women doctors.

To gain experience treating trauma injuries, Dr. Holst urged police to transport knife and gunshot victims to Philadelphia General Hospital, where she served for a time. She also worked at the VA Hospital of Philadelphia, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and numerous suburban hospitals.

At Penn, she liked to tell medical students that "if they tried hard enough, focused, and worked hard enough, they could do anything," her family said.

Dr. Holst's specialty became hand surgery and use of the microscope in the repair of the hand. She chose that focus after being inspired by a noted hand surgeon, Hans May, while at Lankenau Hospital.

Dr. Holst married Merle Broberg and settled in a large house in Germantown to raise four children. She loved to entertain, cook, and bake.

Starting at Thanksgiving, with the children's help, she would make many kinds of Christmas cookies, four types of fruitcake, and a gingerbread house for each child.

In 1970, Dr. Holst separated from her husband and moved with her children to Swarthmore. The two divorced. He survives.

As her practice slowed, Dr. Holst traveled for business and pleasure. Her favorite vacation spots were the Poconos for deer hunting and fishing, and Canada for moose and grouse hunting. "She loved her guide friends in Canada and that a pager wouldn't work there, even if she brought one," her family said.

Dr. Holst played bridge up until the end and dined out with a wine and food group.

In addition to her former husband, Dr. Holst is survived by sons Richard, Robert, and Chris; a daughter, Rebecca; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and a sister. An adopted daughter, Irene, and another sister died earlier.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 20, at the Wyndham Alumnae House, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr. Burial was private.

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