Barbara Mary Katić

Barbara Mary Katić (née Cooke) was born into a medical family—her grandfather, father, and uncle were all doctors—and became the first woman in her family to practise medicine. Her grandfather’s and father’s practice was based in the family home, Ashfield House, in Aspull, Wigan. Her mother worked as the practice manager.

As a child, Barbara experienced the anxiety and stress of the war years. She then made a choice between her two passions, ballet and medicine, opting for medicine. After qualifying from Trinity College Dublin in 1953, she returned to finish training at Wigan Infirmary, and then joined the family GP practice, now run by her brother, Peter Cooke.

In 1956 Barbara followed her adventurous streak and secured a work …