Black Healthcare Professionals
The following is a piece written by OYMS content team’s intern, Selina. We’re ecstatic to welcome Selina aboard as regular member of our team and we hope our readers look forward to her work in the future!
Have you ever pondered what minds are behind the medical advancements that changed the world? In honour of Black healthcare professionals who work diligently to innovate the medical field, this article presents three notable Black physicians and some of their achievements in the medical field. As their contributions to medicine continue to make a difference today, it is important that we remember their names and stories.
Charles R. Drew (1904–1950)
Charles R. Drew, born June 3, 1904, was an African American surgeon and researcher who created the blood bank. Through his research, Drew found that blood plasma can be dried and restored to its original state with distilled water for later use. With this discovery, Drew created a life-saving method to approach blood storage and transfusion.
During World War II, Drew managed blood banks in Great Britain where he collected approximately 14 500 pints of plasma and performed numerous transfusions. In 1941, Drew worked as the director of the first American Red Cross blood bank. During this time, Drew’s research saved the lives of numerous soldiers. However, the military declared a blood donation system that segregated African American donors; Drew protested against this racial segregation and resigned.
Aside from his research, Drew taught at Howard University, became the chief surgeon at Freedmen’s Hospital, and became the first African American chosen to be an examiner for the American Board of Surgery. Drew passed away on April 1, 1950, after achieving many great feats throughout his lifetime. His work has saved countless lives and continues to leave an enduring impact on medicine.
Daniel Hale Williams (1856–1931)
Daniel Hale Williams, born January 18, 1856, was an African American physician who brought significant contributions to the medical field. Discrimination towards African American patients and professionals hindered their access to medical care and opportunities. In hopes of addressing this issue, Williams established the first interracial hospital in the U.S.; the Provident Hospital. His efforts at the hospital made healthcare and opportunities in the medical field more available to African American citizens.
In 1893, Williams continued to make history in his field, becoming one of the first physicians to complete an open-heart surgery. His patient, James Cornish, had endured a severe stab wound to the chest. However, Williams had succeeded in suturing a wound found on Cornish’s pericardium; Cornish would live for many years following this operation.
Williams worked at the Freedmen’s Hospital in 1894 as the chief surgeon to provide more opportunities and better treatment for African Americans. In addition, he co-founded the National Medical Association in 1895. Williams passed away on August 4, 1931, his enduring achievements in the medical field making lasting impacts.
Patricia Era Bath (1942–2019)
Patricia Era Bath, born on November 4, 1942, was an accomplished ophthalmologist. She invented the Laserphaco Probe — a groundbreaking advancement in the field of ophthalmology — and she has made countless impactful contributions to the medical field.
Through her studies, Bath found that the development of glaucoma and blindness was more common amongst Black patients due to inadequate eye care. To address this issue, Bath introduced a discipline called Community Ophthalmology. With this system, more people received access to vision testing and screening.
Bath continued to contribute to the effort to prevent blindness throughout her journey. For example, Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe, creating a precise technique for performing cataract surgery that treated the eyes of many patients around the globe. In 1988, she would become the first African American woman physician to be granted a patent for medical inventions for her creation. On May 30, 2019, Bath passed away after making history in medicine. Bath’s dedication to fighting blindness and improving eyecare continues to make an impact today.
About the Author
Selina Liu is a grade 10 student based in Ontario. She is passionate about the sciences and wants to pursue a career in the medical field. In her spare time, you can find her playing the violin, drawing, or reading.
Sources
https://www.biography.com/scientist/charles-drew
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/drew-charles-r-1904-1950/
https://blackhistory.news.columbia.edu/people/charles-r-drew
https://www.biography.com/scientist/daniel-hale-williams
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daniel-Hale-Williams
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/williams-daniel-hale-1856-1931/
https://www.biography.com/scientist/patricia-bath
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/bath-patricia-1942/
