The Legacy of Black Americans in Medicine

In honor of Black History Month, we are recognizing some of the significant contributions Black Americans have made to the practice of medicine and science.

1600 to 1700s: Early America

 

In the early years of American history, health care on plantations often fell to elderly Black women, who served as midwives, bedside nurses, and caregivers. Their roles extended beyond treating physical ailments and included emotional and spiritual support. Some enslaved midwives were paid for their labor and were permitted to travel long distances to work, which allowed them to maintain vital community connections.

Despite the harsh conditions of slavery, there were healers that drew on tradition and practices passed down generationally. Among them was Onesimus, an enslaved African man who shared knowledge about inoculation against smallpox, a crucial medical insight that eventually influenced the development of vaccination.

1800s: Historic Firsts

Dr. James McCune Smith was the first Black American physician. In 1837, after earning his medical degree in Glasgow, Scotland, Dr. Smith returned to New York to establish his own medical practice. He later opened the first black-owned pharmacy in the United States.

Dr. Smith was also known for his contributions to the abolitionist movement and his medical research. His paper, “On the Influence of Opium upon the Catamenial Functions,” was the first publication by a Black American in a peer-reviewed medical journal. He used his academic platform to dispute pseudoscientific and prejudiced beliefs held by the medical community.

In 1864, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler made history as the first Black woman in the United States to earn a medical degree (officially titled as a “Doctress of Medicine.”) In 1883, she published her research on maternal and pediatric care in “A Book of Medical Discourses: In Two Parts,” making her one of the first female physicians in the 19th century to become an author.

Despite these accomplishments, systemic barriers and prejudice continued to limit the inclusion of Black individuals in the medical community throughout the century. Opportunities for education and professional advancement remained disproportionately scarce. However, the tumultuous period of the Civil War and the subsequent Reconstruction era brought about significant changes.

As the nation grappled with the aftermath of the war and sought to rebuild, the Freedmen’s Bureau was established to support the health and well-being of newly freed Black Americans. During this transformative period, medical schools specifically founded to provide education for Black individuals emerged, notably Howard University College of Medicine and Meharry Medical College.

The establishment of these schools represented a crucial step towards breaking down systemic barriers within the medical field, paving the way for future generations of Black Americans to receive a medical education.

Early to Mid-1900s: Addressing Disparities and the Advancement of Health Care

Despite the establishment of medical schools for Black students, racial discrimination persisted through the early to mid-1900s, limiting opportunities for Black physicians, and creating disparities to health care access.

 

Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens confronted these challenges as the first Black woman admitted to the American College of Surgeons in 1950. Through her advocacy for pap smear testing to detect cervical cancer, Dr. Dickens made monumental contributions that continue to save the lives of women globally.

Additionally, her pioneering research into teenage pregnancy and sexual health issues contributed towards lowering the incidence of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Dickens’ work not only enhanced preventative health care measures but also underscored the importance of targeted interventions to address health disparities in diverse communities.

Throughout the 1900s, Black Americans experienced higher rates of preventable diseases and reduced life expectancy. Despite these challenges, Black medical professionals continued to make groundbreaking contributions to medicine, advancing blood transfusion research and pioneering cardiac surgery techniques.

Late 1980s to Early 2000s: Advancing Medicine Through Technology

Black Americans have made significant contributions to pioneering technology to improve the landscape of health care globally.

Dr. Patricia Bath’s groundbreaking work in ophthalmology, specifically her invention of the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment in 1988, exemplified the intersection of medical expertise and technology. Dr. Bath was also an early advocate of telemedicine as a tool to expand health care access.

2020s: Creating a More Equitable Future

As Black medical professionals continue to break barriers, their invaluable contributions in medical specialties underscore the importance of diversity and representation in shaping the future of health care.

Notably, the development of the COVID-19 vaccine witnessed the invaluable contributions of Black female scientists like Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett. As a key researcher on the team that developed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Corbett played a pivotal role in advancing vaccine development and the field of immunology.

 

As we celebrate Black History Month and centuries of progress, we recognize opportunities for continued improvement. There are still wide disparities in access to health care, particularly in rural settings. Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is committed to advancing medical education with a focus on health equity and underserved communities in Arkansas and beyond.