And as she could not graduate in medicine in Scotland, she went to study in France and later, in order to be permitted to practice at home, became a member of the Royal College of Dublin.

[7] During her search for women who could help run the hospital, McLaren discovered that Catholic Canon Law prohibited Religious Sisters from giving this level of medical care.

She petitioned the Pope and Holy See to lift the restriction and, while waiting for a response, continued looking for women interested in health care abroad.

In 1915, after reading a biographical pamphlet about McLaren's life, Australian doctor Mary Glowrey experienced her vocation to work as a medical missionary in Guntur, India.

Mary Glowrey received special permission from Pope Benedict XV to work as a medical doctor and Religious Sister in 1920.

[8] Her obituary in the British Medical Journal describes her as "a woman of strong individuality and character, known to a large circle of philanthropic workers of many nations, many kindreds and many creeds.