Virginia Pallais – Distinguished medical career

Virginia Pallais , M.D., a 24-year resident of Bodega Bay, died
Feb. 23, 2007 in Santa Rosa. She was 87 years old. Pallais was born
in Calexico, CA, Jan. 12, 1920 to Arturo and Josefa Pallais. She
was raised in Los Angeles and attended UCLA and UC Berkeley,
graduating in 1943.
She graduated from UCSF School of Medicine in 1946. In addition
to all of her life accomplishments, Pallais was proficient in
piano, cello and classical guitar. She loved music. Pallais is
preceded in death by her parents, Arturo, M.D. and Josefa, her
sisters Blanche Meschwitz and Josefina Pallais; and her brother
Armando Pallais, M.D.
Pallais completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at
San Francisco’s Women and Children’s Hospital in 1949.
Pallais became Chief of Staff of Holy Cross Hospital in Mission
Hills, CA in 1966. She held the distinction of becoming the first
woman Chief of Staff of any hospital west of the Mississippi.
Pallais was a member of the American Medical Association. She is
survived by nieces Yolanda Noack, Christina Gulish, Sharon Donlon
and nephews Herman Meschwitz, Robert, Scott and Steve Pallais, 10
great-nieces and seven great-nephews. She is also survived by
companion, Kate MacPherson.
No services are planned. The family will hold a Celebration of
Life gathering in the near future.
Memorial donations may be made to Sonoma County Humane Society
or UCSF Foundation, 44 Montgomery Street, Suite 2200, San
Francisco, CA 94104.