BLACK HISTORY 365
Dr. James McCune Smith
Born: April 18,1813
Died: November 17, 1865
Spouse: Malvina Barnet
Place of Burial: Cypress Hills Cemetery, New York, NY
Education: African Free School University of Glasgow
Field: Internal Medicine
James was the First Licensed African American Black Doctor to obtain a Medical Degree in the country. He was a prominent and suffragist, compassionate physician. His mother was a former slave, and Smith proved to be a prodigy at an early age. When he was 11 years old, he was speaking up for the abolitionist movement at the New York Academy of medicine. He applied to Kings College at New Columbia University. Dr. Smith was denied admission to the medical programs in the US at that time. Denied because of the color of his skin, but with the financial support of abolitionists, Smith chased his dreams across the ocean, attending Glasglow University in Scotland to become a trailblazer, where he became the first African American to earn a medical degree. Dr. Smith returned to New York with a mission.
Dr. James McCune Smith started a clinic for white and black people in lower Manhattan. He became the medical director of the Colored Children Asylum, which was a charitable organization and he cared for children there. His clinic also provided a place where many escaped slaves found help. James was also part of the Black Freedom Movement and a feminist, right along with his peer, Frederick Douglas.
Dr. Smith achieved so much in his life but not the recognition he deserved from his colleagues in the medical field.
In 2018 the New York Academy of Medicine honored him with a special posthumus award of academy fellowship. “It was 171 years overdue Dr. Salerno said”. “We had to make this happen because it was wrong”. Dr. Smith remained a champion for economic and social justice until his death in 1865. He in all
“Why isn’t he in all of our history books?” Dr. Salerno said. WHY AERN’T OUR KIDS LEARNING ABOUT HIM? WE NEED TO TELL THESE STORIES.
REF: https://www.medelita.com/blog/honoring-pioneer-james-mccune-smith-md
Mary Palmore – February 22, 2022
Died: November 17, 1865
Spouse: Malvina Barnet
Place of Burial: Cypress Hills Cemetery, New York, NY
Education: African Free School University of Glasgow
Field: Internal Medicine
James was the First Licensed African American Black Doctor to obtain a Medical Degree in the country. He was a prominent and suffragist, compassionate physician. His mother was a former slave, and Smith proved to be a prodigy at an early age. When he was 11 years old, he was speaking up for the abolitionist movement at the New York Academy of medicine. He applied to Kings College at New Columbia University. Dr. Smith was denied admission to the medical programs in the US at that time. Denied because of the color of his skin, but with the financial support of abolitionists, Smith chased his dreams across the ocean, attending Glasglow University in Scotland to become a trailblazer, where he became the first African American to earn a medical degree. Dr. Smith returned to New York with a mission.
Dr. James McCune Smith started a clinic for white and black people in lower Manhattan. He became the medical director of the Colored Children Asylum, which was a charitable organization and he cared for children there. His clinic also provided a place where many escaped slaves found help. James was also part of the Black Freedom Movement and a feminist, right along with his peer, Frederick Douglas.
Dr. Smith achieved so much in his life but not the recognition he deserved from his colleagues in the medical field.
In 2018 the New York Academy of Medicine honored him with a special posthumus award of academy fellowship. “It was 171 years overdue Dr. Salerno said”. “We had to make this happen because it was wrong”. Dr. Smith remained a champion for economic and social justice until his death in 1865. He in all
“Why isn’t he in all of our history books?” Dr. Salerno said. WHY AERN’T OUR KIDS LEARNING ABOUT HIM? WE NEED TO TELL THESE STORIES.
REF: https://www.medelita.com/blog/honoring-pioneer-james-mccune-smith-md
Mary Palmore – February 22, 2022
