[1] She was instrumental in founding the Manchester Babies Hospital, which was opened on 4 August 1914, contributing to her reputation as one of the founders of modern neonatology practice.

She was the eldest daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie Chisholm, himself a graduate of medicine from the University of Edinburgh, and general practitioner in the area.

[2] The hospital was initially created as a small facility with just 12 beds, aimed at providing specialist care for the "more effective treatment of babies and very young children suffering from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders".

[2] Concurrent to her clinical work she held an academic lectureship at the University of Manchester for over 20 years (1923–1949) on vaccination and the diseases of children.

[2] Her doctoral thesis focused on promoting healthy attitudes to menstruation, arguing in an era in which such subjects were little-discussed that a sound understanding of their bodies was essential for young women.

As a result of Chisholm's consistent lobbying for the role, the position of chair in Child Health was founded at the University of Manchester in 1947,[4] and continues to the present day.

[7] Her obituary in The Lancet in 1952 noted: "Many medical women – and men too – owe their advancement to her, for she opened the way and enabled them to move forward with confidence."