Sat, 04.16.1864
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Georgia E.P. Washington, doctor born
On this date in 1864, Georgia E. Patton Washington was born. She was the first Black woman licensed as a physician and surgeon in the state of Tennessee, and one of the first Black-American medical missionaries in Africa.
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Mon, 08.29.1910
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Vivien Thomas, helped advance surgery and blood plasma treatment
Vivien Theodore Thomas was born on this date in 1910. He was an African American supervisor of Surgical Research Laboratories.
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Mon, 01.18.1858
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Surgeon Daniel Hale Williams was born
Daniel Hale Williams was born on this date in 1858. He was an African American physician and surgical pioneer who performed the first successful open-heart surgery
Born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Williams worked his way through Janesville Classical Academy as a barber and bass violinist. In 1893, he received a medical degree from Chicago Medical College, now part of Northwestern University. While still a medical student, Williams founded Provident Hospital, the first Chicago hospital with Blacks on staff.
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Sun, 02.21.1909
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Helen O. Dickens pioneered in medicine
*Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens was born on this date in 1909. She was a doctor, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and former associate dean of medicine.
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Tue, 04.11.1899
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Science pioneer, Dr. Percy L. Julian
Dr. Percy Lavon Julian was born on this date in 1899. This African American research chemist was a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of drugs used in medicine.
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Wed, 04.15.1896
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An early pioneer in medicine, May Chinn
On this date in 1896, May Chinn was born. She was an African American physician.
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Thu, 04.24.1884
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The first Black medical society founded
On this date in 1884, The Medico-Chirurgical Society of Washington D.C. was founded. It was the first African American medical society.
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Sun, 05.02.1762
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James Durnham, a pioneering physician and skilled healer
On this date we remember the birth of James Durham in 1762. He was the first recognized Black physician in the United States.
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Tue, 05.02.1843
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Elijah McCoy, inventor of quality products
Elijah J. McCoy was born on this date in 1843. He was an African American inventor and his work may have been the beginning of the phrase the “Real McCoy.”
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Mon, 05.04.1891
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Chicago’s Provident Hospital opens
*On this date in 1891, Provident Hospital and Training School opened. This was the first Black controlled hospital in America, and it opened on the south side of Chicago.
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