Virtual Book Display: Health and Wellness in Black History

The story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital which provided state-of-the-art medical training to over two-thirds of all African-American physicians and nurses from 1937 to 1979.

DANIEL HALE WILLIAMS was an African-American cardiologist that performed the first successful open heart surgery.

The inspiring biography of Dr. Charles Drew who developed America's first blood bank system. From All-American athlete at Amherst to pioneering research scientist, Dr. Drew cleared every racist hurdle in a tragically shortened life.

How does an inner city African American kid with a self-proclaimed violent temper, become a world renowned brain surgeon, an inspiring role model for disadvantaged youth, a medical innovator and achieve success... against all odds? In 2001, CNN and Time Magazine named Ben Carson one of the nation's 20 foremost physicians and scientists. His mother was his most influential inspiration, changing Ben from worst to first. He gained respect as he soared to the top of his class. He applied himself, stayed focused on achievement, studied hard and graduated from Yale with a degree in psychology; where he met his future wife, mother of his children and life partner, Candy.

CHARLES DREW born 1904, was an African American physician and medical researcher who revolutionized the field of medicine with developments in blood-work. Growing up in Washington, D.C., Drew excelled in everything he approached but his life and career ambitions always faced an upward battle due to the color of his skin. His research on plasma and transfusions in the 1930's led to discoveries relating to the separation and preservation of blood and the establishment of the world famous American Red Cross. Drew was the first doctor to work for the ARC and oversaw the first blood drive, "Blood for Britain", which supplied blood plasma to the British fighting in World War II, saving thousands of allied lives. He protested against the prevalent practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood from donors of different races on the basis that it lacked scientific foundation. Charles Drew set a standard of excellence unparalleled by most of his white contemporaries. In 1943, his distinction in his profession was recognized when he became the first Black surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery. Despite the prejudices of American society in the first half of the 20th century, Charles Drew persevered in his practice and was never afraid to stand up for his beliefs and racial equality.

Today marks the 180th anniversary of the first African American to receive a medical degree, and it happened in Glasgow. James McCune Smith was born into slavery in 1813 but despite being freed at the age of 14, still struggled to overcome racism and was rejected by several American universities because of his colour.

On February 24, 1864, Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler overcame prejudices and severe constraints to become the first African American woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. During and after the Civil War, she cared for freed African Americans who would otherwise have had no access to medical care.

An interesting review of African-American contributions to American medicine. HealthWatch with Terrance Afer-Anderson

Carolyn Roberts, Yale University historian of medicine, talks about some of the hidden histories of African American medical practitioners during slavery. Dr. Roberts explores how the enslaved used botanical knowledge, herbal therapies, and spirituality as ways to resist brutality, cure disease, and heal their communities. She vividly traces how the slave trade contributed to the development of the pharmaceutical industry, the modernization of medicine, and the advancement of natural history

Daniel Hale Williams (January 18, 1856[1] – August 4, 1931) was an American general surgeon, who in 1893 performed the first documented, successful pericardium surgery in the United States to repair a wound. He founded Chicago's Provident Hospital, the first non-segregated hospital in the United States and also founded an associated nursing school for African Americans.