Pioneers in Medicine
This black scientist made blood transfusions safer and helped create the first blood banks
Dr. Charles Drew
This African American woman’s cells, taken without her consent in 1951, became the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa cells
Henrietta Lacks
This African American physician founded the National Medical Association in 1895, creating a space for Black doctors to advocate for equal treatment in the medical field.
Dr. Charles B. Purvis
This medical educator is the founder of Advancing Health Equity and provides mentorship through their organization at NYU School of Medicine
Dr. Uché Blackstock
This talented general medicine physician is perhaps more widely known for being the first Black woman to travel to space.
Dr. Mae Jemison
This black woman became the first medical doctor in the United States
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler
This African American ophthalmologist invented the Laserphaco Probe, a device that helped improve cataract surgery
Dr. Patricia Bath
This African American health advocate and physician fought for the inclusion of Black doctors in the American Medical Association (AMA) and was a vocal proponent of health equity.
Dr. Virginia Alexander
This HBCU is the oldest surviving Black medical school in the South
Meharry Medical College
Chandra Wilson portrays this doctor on ABC's longest running prime-time medical drama.
Dr. Miranda Bailey
This black physician performed the first-ever separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head
Dr. Ben Carson
This African American medical researcher was a key figure in the development of the first synthetic form of cortisone, helping people with severe arthritis and skin conditions
Dr. Percy Julian
A famous black historical figure who highlighted racial health disparities in The Health and Physique of the Negro American in the 1900s
Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois
This mentor works as a primary care physician and HIV specialist as well as focuses on health equity for Black LGBTQ+ communities
Dr. Oni Blackstock
This well-known psychologist and pan-africanist is best known for his radical views and controversial hot takes, often shared through social media.
Dr. Umar Johnson
In 1893, this surgeon performed the first-ever successful open-heart surgery without X-rays or modern equipment
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
This was the leading scientist in the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
This African American scholar and "father of environmental justice" has worked for decades to raise awareness about how environmental hazards disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities.
Dr. Robert D. Bullard
This organization founded in Atlanta in 1895 is the oldest and largest Black physician group in the United States.
National Medical Association
This pedetrician was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as the first Black and Black Female Surgeon General in the United States
Dr. Joycelyn Elders
This was the first African-American to study and work as a professionally trained nurse in the United States
Mary Eliza Mahoney
This African American doctor co-founded the Association of Black Cardiologists and was a pioneer in hypertension and heart disease research.
Dr. Richard Allen Williams
This prominent Black civil rights leader and physician was instrumental in the passage of the Affordable Care Act, advocating for equitable access to healthcare for all Americans.
Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays
This alumni was a pioneer for all future physicians from Brown as the first African-American to graduate from Brown's medical school in 1973
Dr. Janice Allen
This podiatrist from Iowa is a co-star of the TLC hit show, "My Feet Are Killing Me".
Dr. Ebonie Vincent