10 Most Influential Black American Doctors Throughout History

Published in

Heritage Digest

13 min readJan 6, 2024

Historically, black doctors have significantly contributed to medicine, breaking barriers and advancing healthcare. This article highlights ten of the most influential black American doctors, celebrating their remarkable achievements and enduring legacies.

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856–1931)
Dr. Charles Drew (1904–1950)
Dr. Patricia Bath (1942–2019)
Dr. Ben Carson (1951-present)
Dr. Mae Jemison (1956-present)
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831–1895)
Dr. Alexa Canady (1950-present)
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright (1919–2013)
Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller (1872–1953)
Dr. James McCune Smith (1813–1865)

1. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856–1931)

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, born in 1856 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, experienced a challenging childhood marked by adversity and change. After his father, a mixed-race barber, died of tuberculosis, his mother, Sarah Price, struggled to support the family. Young Daniel was sent to live with relatives and apprenticed to a shoemaker before reuniting with his mother in Rockford, Illinois. His early exposure to diverse occupations, including barbering, eventually led him to pursue a medical career inspired by a local physician.

Williams’ educational journey was remarkable. Beginning as an apprentice to Dr. Henry W. Palmer, he later enrolled in Chicago Medical College, now Northwestern University Medical School, with financial support from Mary Jane Richardson Jones, a leader in Chicago’s black community. Graduating in 1883, Williams opened his medical practice in Chicago, treating black and white patients. Despite the racial barriers of the time, his dedication and skill as a medical professional were evident from the onset of his career.

Dr. Williams’ major achievements are profound and enduring. In 1891, he founded Provident Hospital, the first non-segregated hospital in the United States, establishing a nursing school for African Americans. His most notable medical accomplishment was performing the first successful heart surgery in 1893, a groundbreaking feat without modern surgical amenities. Williams’ death in 1931 from a stroke marked the end of an illustrious career dedicated to advancing medical care and breaking racial barriers in the healthcare system. His legacy continues to inspire and influence the medical profession.

2. Dr. Charles Drew (1904–1950)

Charles Richard Drew, born in 1904 in Washington, D.C., was raised in a middle-class African-American family. His father, Richard, was a carpet layer, and his mother, Nora Burrell, was a teacher. Growing up in the interracial neighborhood of Foggy Bottom, Drew showed early industriousness, working as a newspaper boy. He attended Dunbar High School, known for its commitment to equality, showcasing his early exposure to principles of fairness and dedication.

Drew’s educational path was marked by excellence and determination. Winning an athletics scholarship to Amherst College, he later became a professor at Morgan College to fund his medical school education. He attended McGill University’s medical school, where he excelled, finishing second in his class. His interest in blood transfusions and shock therapy during this time laid the foundation for his future groundbreaking work in blood storage and transfusion techniques.

Dr. Drew’s major achievements revolutionized the field of blood transfusions. His work on blood storage and establishing large-scale blood banks was crucial during World War II, saving thousands of lives. He protested against racial segregation in blood donation, leading to his resignation from the American Red Cross, which maintained such policies until 1950. Tragically, Drew’s life ended in a car accident in 1950. His legacy, however, endures in modern medicine, particularly in blood transfusion and storage techniques.

3. Dr. Patricia Bath (1942–2019)

Patricia Era Bath, born in Harlem, New York 1942, was raised in a nurturing environment that greatly influenced her future accomplishments. Her father, Rupert, a Trinidadian immigrant, worked as a motorman for the New York City Subway and as a newspaper columnist, instilling in her a love for culture and exploration. Her mother, Gladys, with African and Cherokee heritage, encouraged Patricia’s early interest in science by gifting her a chemistry set. Bath’s parents consistently urged her to aim for excellence, a principle that guided her throughout her life.

Early achievements and groundbreaking milestones marked Bath’s educational journey. As a high school student, she earned a National Science Foundation Scholarship, leading to her significant research on cancer, nutrition, and stress at Yeshiva University and Harlem Hospital Center. Her work during this period was notable for its innovative approach to understanding cancer growth. Bath graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Hunter College in 1964 and proceeded to Howard University College of Medicine, where she co-founded the Student National Medical Association and became its first woman president, reflecting her commitment to science and social justice.

Dr. Bath’s professional achievements were both pioneering and impactful. As the first African-American resident in ophthalmology at New York University and the first African-American woman surgeon at UCLA Medical Center, she broke significant racial and gender barriers. Her notable invention, the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment, revolutionized ophthalmology and led her to become the first African-American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical purpose. Her dedication extended beyond the operating room, as she founded the non-profit American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, emphasizing her commitment to humanitarian work. Dr. Bath passed away in 2019, leaving a legacy of innovation and advocacy in medical science and equal access to healthcare.

4. Dr. Ben Carson (1951-present)

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr., born on September 18, 1951, is a renowned American retired neurosurgeon whose medical career was marked by pioneering contributions. Carson’s early life in Detroit, Michigan, was shaped by hardship and perseverance. Raised by a single mother, Sonya Carson, who worked various jobs to support her family, Carson overcame early academic struggles to excel in his studies. His mother’s emphasis on education and Carson’s determination played a pivotal role in his academic success.

Carson’s educational journey is a testament to his resilience and intellect. Despite his initial academic challenges, he earned a scholarship to Yale University, majoring in psychology, and then pursued medical studies at the University of Michigan Medical School. His passion and aptitude for medicine led him to a distinguished career in neurosurgery. Carson’s medical training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine set the stage for his groundbreaking work in pediatric neurosurgery.

As a medical professional, Dr. Carson achieved several monumental milestones. In 1984, he became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, making him the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States. His most celebrated achievement came in 1987 with the successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head. This complex and risky procedure brought him international fame. Beyond this, he developed new methods to treat brain-stem tumors and revitalized hemispherectomy techniques for controlling seizures. Carson’s retirement from medicine in 2013 marked the end of an illustrious career dedicated to advancing neurosurgery and saving countless lives.

5. Dr. Mae Jemison (1956-present)

Mae Carol Jemison, born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, has achieved remarkable feats as a physician and astronaut. Her parents, Charlie Jemison, a maintenance supervisor, and Dorothy Jemison, an elementary school teacher, nurtured her early interest in science and space. Her fascination with space was further inspired by the Star Trek series, particularly the character Lieutenant Uhura, played by African-American actress Nichelle Nichols. Despite facing challenges and discrimination in her pursuit of science, Jemison’s determination grew stronger.

Exceptional achievements marked Jemison’s educational journey. She graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering and African and African-American studies despite facing discrimination as one of the few African-American students in her classes. Her passion for science and space exploration led her to pursue a medical degree from Cornell University. During her medical training, Jemison traveled to Cuba and Thailand, working in a Cambodian refugee camp, and continued her studies in dance, which she had loved since childhood.

Dr. Jemison’s medical career is as impressive as her achievements in space exploration. She worked as a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone, providing crucial medical services and conducting health and safety research. Her work in the Peace Corps showcased her medical expertise and commitment to global health. In 1987, Jemison’s childhood dream became a reality when she joined NASA’s astronaut corps, later becoming the first African-American woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. After leaving NASA in 1993, Jemison founded a technology research company and a non-profit educational foundation, continuing to inspire and educate future generations in science and technology.

6. Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831–1895)

Rebecca Lee Crumpler, born Rebecca Davis on February 8, 1831, in Christiana, Delaware, made significant strides in a field largely inaccessible to African Americans and women. Raised by her aunt, who provided informal medical care to her community, Crumpler was inspired to pursue a medical career. Despite the societal challenges of her era, she was determined to make a difference in the medical field, particularly for women and children.

Crumpler’s medical journey began as a nurse in Charlestown, Massachusetts, where she worked from 1855 to 1864. Her dedication and skill led to her acceptance into the New England Female Medical College, where she was the only African American student. Crumpler’s entry into this college was a remarkable achievement, given the racial and gender barriers of the time. In 1864, she graduated as the first African American woman in the United States to earn an M.D. degree, a monumental accomplishment during an era when African American women faced significant obstacles in pursuing higher education, especially in medicine.

After completing her medical degree, Dr. Crumpler began her practice in Boston, focusing on helping poor African American women and children. After the Civil War, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, to work for the Freedmen’s Bureau, providing vital medical care to freed slaves who were often denied treatment by white physicians. Despite facing “intense racism” and sexism, Crumpler remained committed to her profession and mission. Her contributions to medicine, especially her work in pediatric and maternal care, are a significant part of her legacy, which includes the publication of “A Book of Medical Discourses” in 1883, one of the first medical publications by an African American.

7. Dr. Alexa Canady (1950-present)

Alexa Irene Canady, born on November 7, 1950, in Lansing, Michigan, blazed a trail in the medical field as the first African American woman to become a neurosurgeon in the United States. Raised in an environment that emphasized the importance of education, Canady’s parents, her mother, an educator and former national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and her father, a dentist, instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance. These values, her dedication, and her intelligence laid the foundation for her groundbreaking medical career.

Canady’s educational journey was both challenging and inspiring. Despite facing racial and gender biases, she excelled academically, graduating with honors from high school and then attending the University of Michigan. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and later her Medical Degree with cum laude honors. Canady’s determination to succeed was evident throughout her academic career, particularly when she nearly left college due to a crisis of confidence but stayed and found her calling in the medical field.

Dr. Canady’s contributions to pediatric neurosurgery are profound. After completing her residency at the University of Minnesota in 1981, she specialized in pediatric neurosurgery. She became the chief of neurosurgery at the Children’s Hospital in Michigan from 1987 until her partial retirement in 2001. Renowned for her patient-focused approach, she was deeply committed to her young patients, often going beyond the call of duty to ensure their well-being. Her research and role as a professor of neurosurgery at Wayne State University further highlight her dedication to advancing medical knowledge and education. After moving to Florida, Canady continued to practice part-time until her retirement in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration for future surgeons.

8. Dr. Jane Cooke Wright (1919–2013)

Jane Cooke Wright, born on November 20, 1919, in Manhattan, New York, was a trailblazing figure in the medical field, particularly in cancer research and treatment. The daughter of Corinne Cooke, a public school teacher, and Louis T. Wright, a prominent African American physician, Jane was immersed in an environment that valued academic achievement in medicine from an early age. Her upbringing was marked by the influence of her father, a cancer research pioneer and the first African American doctor at a public hospital in New York City. This familial legacy in medicine deeply influenced Wright’s career path.

Wright’s education was a testament to her intellectual prowess and determination. After graduating from the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, where she excelled in math and science and actively participated in extracurricular activities, she attended Smith College on a scholarship. At Smith, Wright nurtured her interests in science, furthering her academic journey. She then attended New York Medical College, graduating at the top of her class in 1945. This educational foundation laid the groundwork for her remarkable medical career, particularly in oncology.

Dr. Jane Cooke Wright made monumental contributions to cancer research, particularly in chemotherapy. After completing her medical education, she joined her father at the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Center, where they conducted groundbreaking research in chemotherapeutics. Wright’s pioneering work with methotrexate, a foundational chemotherapy drug, significantly advanced cancer treatment. Her innovative approach to testing the effects of drugs on human tissue cultures rather than laboratory mice was a major advancement in cancer research. Wright’s dedication and contributions to medical science brought chemotherapy into the realm of effective cancer treatment and opened doors for future research and treatment methods, ultimately saving countless lives. Her legacy as a pioneering cancer researcher and a trailblazer for African American women in the medical profession continues to inspire future generations.

9. Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller (1872–1953)

Solomon Carter Fuller was a significant figure in the history of neurology and psychiatry, born on August 11, 1872, in Monrovia, Liberia. His early life in Liberia was shaped by a family deeply entrenched in medical and academic pursuits. His father was a successful coffee planter and a government official, and his mother, Anna Ursala James, was the daughter of medical missionaries. Fuller’s paternal grandparents, John Lewis Fuller and his wife, who had been slaves in Virginia, emigrated to Liberia in 1852. This rich family heritage in medicine and activism profoundly influenced Fuller’s future career in the medical field.

Fuller’s educational journey began under the tutelage of his mother, who established a school to educate him and other local children. His maternal grandparents, who were medical missionaries, further nurtured his interest in medicine. Seeking advanced education, Fuller moved to the United States and attended Livingstone College in North Carolina, graduating in 1893. He then pursued medical education at Long Island College Medical School. He completed his MD in 1897 at Boston University School of Medicine, a homeopathic institution known for its progressive admissions policy. Fuller’s desire for extensive knowledge in psychiatry led him to the Royal Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Munich, Germany, where he studied under renowned psychiatrists Emil Kraepelin and Alois Alzheimer.

Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller’s career was marked by groundbreaking contributions to the field of neurology and psychiatry, particularly in the study of Alzheimer’s disease. He spent much of his career at Westborough State Hospital in Massachusetts, conducting innovative research on Alzheimer’s disease. Fuller’s work under Alois Alzheimer at the University of Munich significantly advanced the understanding of this disease. He was instrumental in identifying physical changes in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, specifically the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. His research was pivotal in shifting the focus from arteriosclerosis to these biomarkers as potential disease causes. Fuller’s work at Westborough State Hospital was not only limited to Alzheimer’s; he also studied the neuropathology of chronic alcoholism. In 1919, he joined the faculty at Boston University School of Medicine, where he served until 1933. Despite facing racial disparities in academia, Fuller’s legacy as a neurologist and psychiatrist and his contributions to the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease remain influential in the field of medical research.

10. Dr. James McCune Smith (1813–1865)

James McCune Smith was born into slavery on April 18, 1813, in Manhattan, New York. Freed by the Emancipation Act of New York in 1827, he grew up with his mother, Lavinia, a self-emancipated woman. His father, Samuel Smith, a white merchant, and his mother’s master, significantly impacted his life. Smith attended the African Free School in Manhattan, excelling in his studies and showing a keen interest in science and medicine from a young age.

Smith pursued higher education with determination, overcoming racial barriers. After being denied admission to colleges in the United States due to his race, he attended the University of Glasgow in Scotland, supported by abolitionist benefactors. He achieved a remarkable academic record there, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1835, a master’s degree in 1836, and a medical degree in 1837, becoming the first African American to earn a medical degree. His internship in Paris further honed his medical skills.

Dr. James McCune Smith returned to the United States and established a medical practice in Manhattan. As a skilled physician, he became the first African American to own and operate a pharmacy nationwide. He made significant contributions to medicine, particularly in challenging and refuting racial misconceptions in the medical field using his expertise in statistics. Smith also played a pivotal role in the abolitionist movement, working alongside figures like Frederick Douglass and helping establish the National Council of Colored People. He continued to write extensively, using his medical knowledge to combat racial myths and promote equality. Unfortunately, systemic racism prevented him from being admitted to the American Medical Association and other professional medical associations. Smith passed away on November 17, 1865, leaving a legacy as a trailblazing physician and a staunch advocate for racial equality.