Breakthroughs
Known as the “father of blood banking”
Who is Charles Richard Drew, MD?
Pioneered blood preservation techniques that led to thousands of lifesaving blood donations.
This HBCU dental school, founded in 1881, has trained generations of Black dentists.
What is Howard University College of Dentistry?
Founded in 1881, it’s the one of two historically Black dental schools in the U.S.
Civil rights leader who advocated for health access in the 1960s.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.?
He spoke about health care as a basic human right, emphasizing systemic inequalities.
African-Americans are more likely than White Americans to suffer from this chronic condition affecting the heart and blood vessels.
What is hypertension (high blood pressure)?
About 40% of African-American adults have hypertension, which is one of the highest rates in the world, contributing to higher risks of heart disease and stroke.
Her cancer cells were the first immortalized human cell line.
Who is Henrietta Lacks?
Her cells (HeLa cells) are still used in research today to study cancer, vaccines, and more.
Doctor Daniel Hale Williams was the first doctor to successfully complete this procedure.
What is perform open heart surgery?
He founded Provident Hospital in Chicago, the first Black-owned hospital in the United States.
Founded in 1897, this historically Black medical school in Atlanta has produced thousands of Black physicians.
What is Morehouse School of Medicine?
It focuses on primary care and health equity in underserved communities.
Founded free health clinics for underserved communities.
Who are Huey P. Newton & Bobby Seale (with community doctors)?
The Black Panther Party’s clinics offered blood pressure checks, vaccinations, and basic medical care.
This condition occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, and Black adults experience it at higher rates than White adults.
What is stroke (cerebrovascular accident)?
Hypertension and diabetes are major risk factors contributing to higher incidence.
1932–1972 study left Black men untreated for syphilis.
What is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?
The study’s unethical practices led to new rules for human subject research.
African-American kidney transplantation surgeon from Lexa, Arkansas. He was most distinguished for his pioneering work in the field of kidney transplantations, and in research, discoveries, and inventions in Renal Science.
Who is Dr. Samuel Lee Kountz Jr?
He performed over 100 kidney transplants and helped develop techniques that improved transplant success rates.
The average MCAT and GPA for Black medical students.
505–506 and 3.50–3.60
This score generally represents around the 65th percentile of all test-takers.
Nurse and activist who exposed unethical medical practices.
Who is Jeanette E. South-Paul?
She promoted ethics and equality in medical care, influencing generations of physicians.
African-American adults are more likely to develop this type of diabetes compared to White adults.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
About 13–14% of Black adults have Type 2 diabetes, roughly double the rate of non-Hispanic White adults.
1960s-70s programs providing health screenings and vaccinations in Black communities.
What are community health clinics?
These clinics were often started by activists and local doctors to reduce healthcare inequities.
This scientist was the first African-American woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.
Who is Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD?
She published a book on caring for women and children, guiding physicians on community health.
This Texas HBCU offers one of the oldest nursing programs at historically Black universities, producing nurses for rural and underserved areas.
What is Prairie View A&M University Nursing Program?
The program has been vital in increasing Black representation in nursing.
This nurse and activist founded the National Black Nurses Association in 1971 to support Black nurses and improve healthcare in Black communities.
Who is Betty Smith Williams?
The organization continues to provide mentorship, advocacy, and education for Black nurses nationwide.
Black Americans are more likely than White Americans to experience this lung condition, often due to environmental factors and unequal healthcare access.
What is asthma?
African-American children are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma compared to White children.
Research shows that physicians with implicit bias are more likely to under-prescribe this type of treatment to Black patients.
What is pain medication (opioids)?
Studies show Black patients’ pain is often underestimated compared to White patients.
In 1942, he became the first African-American to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree in the U.S., paving the way for Black optometrists nationwide.
Who is Dr. Herman L. Williams Sr.
He went on to practice in New York and mentor generations of Black optometrists, helping increase access to eye care in underserved communities.
This HBCU nursing school in Atlanta focuses on training Black women for leadership roles in healthcare.
What is Spelman College Nursing Program?
The program emphasizes public health, research, and serving underserved communities.
This African-American physician co-founded the National Medical Association and advocated for equal treatment of Black doctors and patients.
Who is Dr. Daniel Hale Williams?
Beyond his surgical achievements, he worked to break down racial barriers in medicine and improve healthcare access for Black communities.
Black women are more likely than White women to die from this disease, even though the overall incidence is lower or similar.
What is breast cancer?
Disparities are due to later diagnosis, less access to treatment, and systemic factors.
Surgeon General report highlighting Black infant mortality.
What is the 1985 “Healthy People” report?
The report emphasized preventive care and reducing racial disparities in infant deaths.