Well, in respect of Black History Month my next few blogs will be in reference to some of the most extraordinary minds to ever step on to this Earth. All the people that I mention changed the color of knowledge, proving genius has no real color. In spite of the short comings of an era that rather see them as carpenters and housekeepers rather than doctors and scientists; these people managed to beat the odds and rise above those who doubted them to begin with.
Who better to start with than Dr. Daniel Hale Williams; if you don't know who Dr. Williams is than you will be amazed to find out that he was the 1st person to successfully perform open heart surgery. Not bad for a Black Man in the late 1800s. In addition to his successful surgery, he also became the Surgenon-In-Cheif at Freedman's Hospital located in Washington D.C.
Born on Janurary 18th, 1856, Daniel was the 5th of 7 children. After apprentincings for a shoemaker and owning his own babrbershop, he went on to appretince for one Dr. Henry Palmer after discovering his fascination of the medical field. After 2 years of working under Dr.Palmer, he entered Nowestern Medical School in 1880 and finishing in 1883. After grduating he open his own medical practice in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Williams continued his legacy, founding a hospital and a traning school for nurses. The Provident Hospital is was the 1st black-owned hospital in the United States.He later,after being denied membership in the American Medical Association just as other African American; he founded the National Medical Association in 1895. To add to his his impressive record he bacame a charter member of the American College of Surgeons in 1913, servivng as the first and only black member for years.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams accomplished a variety on things before his passing in 1931, he recieved honorary degrees at both Howard and Wilberforce Universites and also became a member of yet another organization (Chicago Surgical Society). He set the tone for many brillant minds both white and black, to uphold and take on.So today, Dr.Williams we salute you.
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