Black History is American History

February is Black History Month and a time when people across the U.S. and Canada recognize, celebrate, and honor the rich and diverse history, achievements, and contributions of Black people and their communities. When I think of this important month, I want to reiterate a critical point—Black history is American history! They are intertwined and inseparable; there cannot be one without the other.

President?Gerald Ford?officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, every U.S. president has officially designated February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers such as?Harriet Tubman,?Sojourner Truth,?Marcus Garvey,?Martin Luther King Jr.,?and?Rosa Parks?to leaders in industry, politics, science, and culture.

African Americans have also played a key role in advancing the field of medicine. This is especially true when looking at the contributions of Black physicians throughout history and the impact their work, innovations, and advancements have had on all Americans, and indeed on people around the world. They include:

Dr. James McCune Smith (1813-1865) – Dr. James McCune Smith was the first African American to hold a medical degree, which he obtained from the University of Glasgow, Scotland in 1837. He was also the first African American to run a pharmacy in the U.S. His work was not just limited to medicine; he was also an influential abolitionist and writer.

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931) – Dr. Williams was one of the first physicians to perform open-heart surgery in the U.S. In 1893, he successfully performed the surgery on a patient with a stab wound to the heart. He also founded Provident Hospital in Chicago in 1891, which was the first non-segregated hospital in the U.S.

Dr. Charles R. Drew (1904-1950) – Dr. Drew was a surgeon and medical researcher who revolutionized the understanding and storage of blood plasma. His work in the development of large-scale blood banks early in World War II saved thousands of lives and laid the foundation for today’s blood donation and storage systems.

Dr. Patricia Bath (1942-2019) – Dr. Bath was an ophthalmologist, inventor, and educator. She was the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology and the first Black female doctor to receive a medical patent. She invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment in 1986.

These individuals not only advanced the field of medicine through their knowledge, skills, innovation, dedication, and courage, they paved the way for future generations of black healthcare professionals to follow in their footsteps.

As we embrace Black History Month over the next couple of weeks, I encourage you to learn more about these and other medical pioneers, celebrate their contributions, and become inspired by their work. By doing this, we can continue their legacy by achieving our patient-centered mission and purpose.

Knowing that Black history is American and world history, we can more clearly see the path forward and better understand that everyone can make a positive contribution to society.