Early African-American Physicians in Alabama

A.J. Wright, M.L.S.Anesthesiology Library

UAB

BLACK PHYSICIAN MILESTONES

ca. 1780: James Derham first U.S. physician (apprenticeship)

1837: James McCune Smith first M.D. (Univ of Glasgow)

1847: David John Peck first U.S. M.D.(Rush Med. Coll., Chicago)

BLACK PHYSICIAN MILESTONES

1854: John V. deGrasse first medical society member (Boston)

1864: Rebecca Lee Crumpler first woman U.S. M.D. (NE Female Medical College)

U.S. PHYSICIANS

1900 1910

White 129, 841 147,741 (13.8% increase)

Black 1,734 3,077 (77.5% increase)

BLACK MEDICAL SCHOOLS19TH Century

1868: Howard (Washington, D.C.) 1876: Meharry (Nashville) 1882: Leonard (Shaw) (Raleigh, N.C.)

HOWARD MEDICAL COLLEGE

MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE

ALABAMA’S BLACK PHYSICIANS1879-1905

Male 66 Female 4 Cert. Refused -14

-Total 56

ALABAMA’S BLACK PHYSICIANS 1879-1905Medical Schools Meharry 37 Howard 10 Leonard 5 Michigan 4 Unknown 3 Long Island Hosp. 2 Illinois Med Coll 2 Other 6 Total 70

ALABAMA MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OF 1877 Designated MASA to establish

physician standards/qualifications MASA Board of Censors became state

BME Each county’s Board of Censors could

also administer exams/issue licenses recognized statewide

EARLY CERTIFIED BLACK PHYSICIANS IN ALABAMA

1879: Burgess E. Scruggs (Madison Co.) 1884: Cornelius N. Dorsette (Montgomery Co.) 1885: Allen L. Strong (Dallas Co.) 1889: Lincoln L. Burwell (Dallas Co.)

EARLY CERTIFIED BLACK FEMALE PHYSICIANS IN ALABAMA

Halle Tanner Dillon [Tuskegee] Justina Lorena Ford [Normal] Blanche Beatrice Thompson [Alex

City/Opelika] Pauline Elizabeth Dinkins [Selma]

Burgess E. Scruggs, M.D.

Burgess E. Scruggs, M.D.

Univ. of Nashville, 1870 Meharry, 1879 Certified in Madison Co. 1879 Practiced in Huntsville until 1920s Buried in Glenwood Cemetery,

Huntsville

Cornelius N. Dorsette, MD185?-1897

Cornelius Nathaniel Dorsette, M.D. 185?-1897

Born Davidson Co., North Carolina Hampton Inst. Classmate of B.T. Washington Univ. of Buffalo Med. Sch., 1882 Certified Montgomery Co., 1884

Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington

Early view of Tuskegee Institute

Tuskegee faculty w/Andrew Carnegie [1906]

Classroom scene at Tuskegee

Allen L. Strong, M.D. [1861-1899]

Born in Forest, Mississippi Graduated Howard Univ. 1885 Certified Dallas Co. Board, 1885 Selma: 1885-1890 Atlanta: 1890-1895 Mobile: 1895-1899

Halle Tanner Dillon Johnson, MD1864-1901

Halle Tanner Dillon, M.D.[1864-1901]

Born Pittsburgh, Penn. Women’s Med. Coll. Penn., 1891 Certified Ala. State Board, 1891 Tuskegee Inst., 1891-1894 Hale Infirmary, Montgomery (?)

Halle Tanner Dillon, M.D.[1864-1901] Examiners included: Dr. Peter Bryce Dr. George A. Ketchum Dr. James T. Searcy Dr. J.B. Gaston

Halle Tanner Dillon, M.D.[1864-1901] “During her tenure she was responsible

for the medical care of 450 students as well as for 30 officers and teachers and their families. [She] was expected to make her own medicines, while teaching one or two classes each term.”

[Hine DC, 1985]

Halle Tanner Dillon, M.D.[1864-1901] “For her efforts she was paid six

hundred dollars per year plus room and board; she was allowed one one-month vacation per year.”

[Hine DC, 1985]

Halle Tanner Dillon, M.D.[1864-1901] In 1894, married Rev. John Quincy

Johnson, mathematics teacher at Tuskegee

In 1895 they moved to Columbia, South Carolina

In 1900 he became pastor of AME church in Nashville

Halle Tanner Dillon, M.D.[1864-1901] Died of dysentery and childbirth

complications April 26, 1901 She was 37 Buried in Greenwood Cemetery,

Nashville

Ionia R. Whipper, M.D.1872-1953

Howard Medical School, 1903 Succeeded Dillon at Tuskegee as resident

physician Cared only for female patients Returned to Washington, D.C. and began

work with unwed mothers Opened Ionia R. Whipper Home, Inc., for

Unwed Mothers in 1931

Alonzo Homer Kenniebrew, M.D.

Tuskegee, 1891 Meharry, 1897 Married Leonora

Love Chapman, 1899

Moved to Illinois in 1902

Lincoln L. Burwell, M.D. [1866-1928]

Born in McKinley, Marengo County Graduated valedictorian, Selma Univ. Two daughters graduated from Oberlin

College, Ohio Served many years as Secretary of

Trustees, Selma Univ.

Lincoln L. Burwell, M.D. [1867-1928]

Leonard Medical College, 1890 Drug store owner Established Burwell Infirmary, 1907 “We…always found him the same:

even-tempered, friendly, regular in his habits, always ready to help a worthy cause…” [JNMA 1928]

Lincoln Laconia Burwell, M.D.

From John A. Kenney, The Negro in Medicine, 1912

From John A. Kenney, The Negro in Medicine, 1912

Burwell Infirmary, 1931

“Burwell Infirmary (Colored), 508 Philpot Ave. Estab. 1907; general; 25 beds; 2 bassinets; school of nursing; individual control; Mrs. Minnie V. Anderson, R.N., supt.”

American Medical Directory, 1931, p. 197

Pauline E. Dinkins, M.D.

B. December 30, 1891, in Marion Woman’s MC Philadelphia, 1919 Certified Ala. state board July, 1919 807 Minter Ave., Selma in 1921 Missionary trip to Africa 1929

Pauline E. Dinkins, M.D.

U.S. Passport #459678 / 9-20-1927 Published African Folk Tales [1933] D. 1961

SS Albert Ballin 1923

John Wesley Moorer, M.D. [?-1942]

Born in Braggs, Alabama Selma University graduate Meharry graduate, 1899 Certified Clarke Co. 1899 In Selma by 1900 Selma Univ. physician and trustee

Selma University, ca. 1895

Arthur McKinnon Brown, M.D.1867-1939

B. Raleigh NC U. of Michigan, 1891 Highest score on

Alabama medical exam to that time

First black officer commissioned in regular U.S. army

Arthur McKinnon Brown, M.D.1867-1939

Surgeon, Lieutenant in 10th U.S. Cavalry [Buffalo Soldiers]

Served 1898-9 in Cuba during Spanish-American War

Built home in 1906 at 319 4th Terrace in Smithfield

Designed by Wallace A. Rayfield

Ulysses Grant Mason, M.D.

Meharry, 1895 Birmingham, 1895 Published articles in

medical literature Active in efforts to

create library service for blacks in Birmingham

John Wesley Darden, M.D.

Leonard MC, 1901 Moved to Opelika, 1903 Built home at 1323 Auburn St., 1904 Died in 1949 Darden H.S., 1951 Merged w/Opelika H.S., 1971 Darden Foundation formed 2001

Image is from the renovation project of this house http://www.opelikahighschools.org/id195.html

Thomas Vivian McCoo, M.D.1883-1967

Selma Univ. graduate Leonard MC graduate Practiced in Eufaula for

almost 50 years Son William also a

doctor [Los Angeles] Granddaughter Marilyn

a singer [Fifth Dimension, etc.]

Hiram Ethan Archer, M.D.

Born July 1870 in Michigan 1900 U.S. Census: Huntsville Spouse: Henrietta M. Archer [teacher] Listed in Selma in 1912 American

Medical Directory Listed in Selma as “not in practice” in

1921 American Medical Directory

Alexander George William Allen, M.D.

Born 1859 in Smith Station, Alabama Meharry graduate, 1899 Practicing in Union Springs, Bullock 1910 Trans MASA 1912 and 1921 American Medical

Directory

Alexander George William Allen, M.D.

1910 Census: Union Springs Ward 5 Spouse Carrie A. Allen 5 children Ages 2 through 7

Anderson Milton Williams, M.D.

Leonard Medical College, 1900 Certified Bullock Co. 1900 Union Springs 1900-1910

James W. Wylie [Wiley?], M.D.

University of Illinois, 1905 Certified state board, 1905 Greensboro, Hale County, 1910

John Andrews Kenney, Sr., M.D.1864-1950 Born Albemarle Co., Virginia Leonard (Shaw) Med. Sch., 1901 Tuskegee Institute, 1902 Negro in Medicine, 1912 NMA President, 1913 Left Tuskegee, 1924

John A. Kenney, M.D.

Resident Physician, Tuskegee Institute Began in August, 1902 First operation on a male student Diseased metatarsal bone

“At the close of the operation he laid his hands on both my shoulders, and said, ‘Well done. I’ll go with you anywhere.’ As he was one of the State’s recognized surgeons, and the leading operator in Macon and adjoining counties, his compliment pleased me very much.”

--Kenney, J National Med Assoc, 1946

“At the close of the operation…”

Louis William Johnston, M.D.

University Alabama Medical School, 1889

Began practice in Tuskegee Member, State Board of Medical

Examiners Member, State Department of Health Administered general anesthesia for

Kenney’s first operation

John A. Andrew Hosp., Tuskegee http://www.lindakenneymiller.com/index.html

http://www.lindakenneymiller.com/index.html

Dr. John A. Kenney founded the Journal of the National Medical Association. Pictured here is the editorial staff of the Journal which was first published in 1909. Seated is Dr. C.V. Roman, the first editor.

Linda Kenney Miller

Granddaughter of Dr. John A. Kenney

Written a novel based on his life, Beacon on the Hill [2008]

http://www.lindakenneymiller.com/index.html

John A. Kenney, M.D.

Resident Physician, Tuskegee Institute Began in August, 1902 First operation on a male student Diseased metatarsal bone

BLACK PHYSICIANS:U.S. and ALABAMA

1932 1942

• U.S. 3,985 3,810• Alabama 116 125• Birmingham 27 19

John A. Darden, M.D., House

Opelika Top photo from

Kenney’s Negro in Medicine [1912]

Color photo, Sept. 2002

Norma Jean Darden

In her book Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine: Recipes and Reminiscences of a Family she talks about her uncle, Dr. Darden

SS Albert Ballin

Cornelius N. Dorsette, MD185?-1897

Halle Tanner Dillon Johnson, MD1864-1901

Ionia R. Whipper, M.D.

Howard Medical School, 1903 Succeeded Dillon at Tuskegee as

resident physician Cared only for female patients Returned to Washington, D.C. and

began work with unwed mothers Opened Ionia R. Whipper Home, Inc., for

Unwed Mothers in 1931

Obituary NYT 1950

JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION Vol. XXII, No.3(1930)

KENNEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL(Incorporated)

Newark, New Jersey By JOHN A. KENNEY, M.D., President

Kenney/Community Hosp.Newark NJ ca. 1930s

“At the close of the operation he laid his hands on both my shoulders, and said, ‘Well done. I’ll go with you anywhere.’ As he was one of the State’s recognized surgeons, and the leading operator in Macon and adjoining counties, his compliment pleased me very much.”

--Kenney, J National Med Assoc, 1946

Louis William Johnston, M.D.

University Alabama Medical School, 1889

Began practice in Tuskegee Member, State Board of Medical

Examiners Member, State Department of Health Administered general anesthesia for

Kenney’s first operation

MILESTONES IN ALABAMA

1904: Alabama State Medical Congress 1912: NMA annual meeting, Tuskegee 1913: John A. Kenney, Sr., NMA

President 1914: Arthur M. Brown, NMA President 1914: Health Improvement Week est.

by B.T. Washington

JNMA COVERS

Kenney Jan. 1956 Dorsette Nov. 1960 Tuskegee VA March 1962 Holy Family Hospital (Ensley) Jan. 1963

JUSTINA LAURENA CARTER FORD, M.D.1871-1952

b. Knoxville, Illinois

Herring Medical College, Chicago-1899

Practiced about 2 yrs. in Normal, Alabama

Spent remainder of career in Denver

Home is now Black American West Museum

BLANCHE BEATRICE S. THOMPSON, M. D.

Georgia native

Meharry, 1901

Cert. Tallapoosa Co., 1903

LUCY HOPKINS WHITE

b. 1791

Made deposit in March, 1870, at Huntsville branch of Freeman’s Saving and Trust Co.

Listed occupation as “Doctor”

AMANDA JONES

b. 1817

Made deposit in October, 1870, at Huntsville branch of Freedman’s Saving and Trust Co.

Listed occupation as “Doctors”