Celebrating black history month includes remembering pertinent contributions to health that have been made by noteworthy African Americans in the past. While many blacks continue to make strides in how Americans make important decisions about their health, the health rate for various chronic diseases and conditions has taken a serious toll on the health of black Americans.
It’s true that certain conditions may result due to heredity but the fact remains that many are dealing with health challenges due to how they eat, lack of physical activity and overall productivity. Using those who have come before us as a form of inspiration, you can still make commitments toward living a healthier happier life.
Bacteriologist, Pathologist and Educator William Augustus Hinton (1883-1959) was the first black instructor at Harvard University of preventive medicine and hygiene. He developed one of the first tests for syphilis and later wrote a book about its treatment. His book was the first medical text book by a black American.
Physician and Researcher Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, born in 1919, is the daughter of medical pioneer Dr. Louis T. Wright. She graduated from medical college with honors in 1945 and later joined her father on the board of directors of the Cancer Research Foundation in Harlem, New York. She led various patient trials using chemotherapy and anti-cancer chemicals against leukemia and lymphatic cancers. She became head of the foundation after her father passed in 1952.
Chemist Dr. Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975) was the grandson of a slave who lived in Alabama. He pursued education in chemistry and received a doctoral degree. He continued research throughout his lifetime. In 1933 he discovered ways to use plants to treat conditions such as glaucoma, nerve gas and improve memory of Alzheimer’s patients. His research later contributed to the development of cortisone and birth control pills. He filed more than 130 patents for chemicals throughout his lifetime.
Physician and Hematologist Dr. Louis Sullivan, born in 1933, had a dream of becoming a doctor. He worked at prestigious medical schools and founded the Hematology Service located at Boston City Hospital. He was the director of the Boston Sickle Cell Center but left the position to become the founding dean of Morehouse College Medical Education Program in Atlanta. Soon after it became a fully-credited medical school and today it is one of the highly ranked schools with graduates working in primary healthcare.
Surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931) opened a medical practice that served all races in Chicago. In 1893 he successfully performed one of the first heart surgeries. He helped a man who was stabbed survive by opening his chest to repairing internal wounds with antiseptic. During this time period it was considered dangerous to perform this action. Opening and closing the chest cavity was something that saw little success at the time.
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Service- Office of Minority Health
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