October is Black History Month in the United Kingdom and this year it has been about looking forward and celebrating the here and now. But we also wanted to do the opposite, we wanted to take time to reflect on the accomplishments of our favourite Black scientists and healthcare professionals and individuals; people who have revolutionised biology and medical sciences and have contributed to the health and wellbeing of every one of us celebrating this month.
During a period where Black people were not seen as equals, their work was championed in the field of healthcare. We applaud them and others for their efforts in revolutionising the medical industry and we truly recognise them as people of change.
1. Patricia Bath (1942-2019)
Born in 1942 in New York’s Harlem, Dr Bath was both the first African-American female to study ophthalmology and the first to receive a medical patent, for the Laserphaco Probe.
The Laserphaco probe harnessed laser technology to shift the treatment landscape of cataracts from a risky, expensive surgery with short-term success to a non-invasive, permanent treatment that has been used to restore sight to millions around the world.
Patricia Bath
2. Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975)
Born in Montgomery, Alabama during the height of racism in the USA under Jim Crow laws, Dr Julian overcame the discrimination and racism to become one of the most influential synthetic chemists of all time. He and his team was the first group to successfully synthesise the organic compound physostigmine. His development of physostigmine was then successfully used to treat the eye condition glaucoma.
Previously only available from natural sources, what makes Dr Julian’s 11-step synthesis for physostigmine so remarkable, is he had no modern analytical techniques (such as mass spectrometry) at his disposal, which would confirm he had the correct chemical structures at each stage. Furthermore, not only did he synthesise physostigmine but steroids including progesterone, cortisone and hydrocortisone, all of which are used by millions of people worldwide.
Percy Lavon Julian
3. Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931)
In 1893, Dr Williams performed the first ever successful heart operation, and firmly cemented himself as a pioneer of modern medicine. During the procedure, with the heart still beating, he sutured the damaged artery back together and revolutionised surgery in the process. What makes Dr Williams’ procedure so unique is it was performed before penicillin, X-rays, blood transfusions and modern surgical tools were available.
Following his surgical success, in 1895 Dr Williams co-founded the National Medical Association – an organisation for Black doctors during a time when the American Medical Association didn’t allow African-American doctors.
Daniel Hale Williams
4. Henrietta Lacks (1920-1951)
Although not directly a scientist herself, Henrietta Lacks left an incredible scientific legacy. In 1951 during treatment for cervical cancer, Henrietta’s biopsied cells were taken and cultured. Typically, human cells only survive for a couple of days when grown in a lab. However, Henrietta’s cells appeared to be ‘immortal’, and replicated at a high rate without dying – meaning experiments could be performed on them.
Her cells, referred to as HeLa cells, have been integral to almost every advancement in modern medicine, including research into cancer, AIDS, infectious diseases and immunology.
Although there are over 11,000 patents involving HeLa cells, her cells were cultured without her consent, so neither she nor her family have ever been compensated.
Henrietta Lacks
5. Charles Richard Drew, MD (1904-1950)
Known as the “father of blood banking”, Charles Richard Drew MD, developed an immense interest in blood transfusions and the properties of blood.
What makes Drew’s work exceptional is he discovered plasma could be dried and then reconstituted when needed, making it possible for blood plasma to be stored for longer periods. His expertise from this led to the development of the first large-scale blood bank.
Charles Richard Drew, MD
6. Solomon Carter Fuller (1872-1953)
From an early age, Solomon Carter Fuller had a passion for medicine. In 1887, he obtained a medical degree from Boston University and became the first known African American psychiatrist. He conducted pioneering research with Aloi Alzheimer studying the traits of dementia. Fuller made a huge contribution to the knowledge of Alzheimer’s, dementia and an array of mental health illnesses, including schizophrenia and depression.
Solomon Carter Fuller
