This year, Black History Month places the focus on the medical heroes who advanced modern medicine, dramatically changing the world with groundbreaking research and novel approaches to patient care, enhancing health and well-being. Their legacy and monumental work in health care continues today; tenaciously building and executing health equity promoting policies, programs, and practices focused on addressing the health disparities that affect this population.
These are just a few of the pioneering legends who contributed with bravery, power, and excellence:
- Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler: First African American woman to earn a medical degree and practice medicine in the U.S.
- Dr. Theodore Kenneth “T.K.” Lawless: First widely-known African American Dermatologist in the U.S.
- Dr. Myra Adele Logan: First open-heart surgery performed by a woman
- Dr. Daniel Hale Williams: Performed first open-heart surgery and owned first interracial, black-owned hospital
- Dr. James McCune Smith: First African American doctor to hold a medical degree in the U.S. and he became the first African American to run a pharmacy in the nation.
- Dr. Alexa Irene Canady: First female African-American neurosurgeon
- Dr. Patricia Era Bath: The first African American to complete a residency in Opthamology and the first female doctor to receive a medical patent; she was the inventor of Laser Cataract Surgery
- Dr. Robert Fulton Boyd: Co-founder and president of first professional organization for black doctors
- Dr. Alexander Thomas Augusta: First African American professor of Medicine in the U. S. and physician appointed director of a U.S. hospital
As a dermatology practice, we are dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and delivering complete and optimum care. Our providers and skin care professionals continue to study and learn the latest skin conditions, treatments, modalities, and products that work best for melanated skin. We honor these medical heroes and their stunning contributions and unwavering commitment to improving lives – past, present, and future.
