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February is Black History Month, a time to pay tribute to the vitally important achievements and contributions of African American men and women.

In celebration this year, we launched a month-long campaign highlighting trailblazers in health. NYAM Fellows, Members and staff shared with us the #BlackHealthPioneers who have inspired them, and we featured the below individuals on our social media throughout February.

Throughout #BlackHistoryMonth this year, we highlighted the stories and accomplishments of #blackhealthpioneers.
Throughout #BlackHistoryMonth this year, we highlighted the stories and accomplishments of #blackhealthpioneers.
Dr. James McCune Smith was the first African American to receive a medical degree. In 2018, NYAM awarded him posthumous fellowship.
Dr. James McCune Smith was the first African American to receive a medical degree. In 2018, NYAM awarded him posthumous fellowship.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders was the 15th Surgeon General of the U.S. and the first African American SG. She has also been a major advocate for adolescent health.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders was the 15th Surgeon General of the U.S. and the first African American SG. She has also been a major advocate for adolescent health.
Dr. Charles R. Drew was a pioneer in blood preservation and founded two of the first blood banks. He was also the first African American to earn a PhD from Columbia University.
Dr. Charles R. Drew was a pioneer in blood preservation and founded two of the first blood banks. He was also the first African American to earn a PhD from Columbia University.
Henrietta Lacks' cells, which were harvested without her consent, have been used in countless research studies and have contributed to numerous important advances in medicine.
Henrietta Lacks' cells, which were harvested without her consent, have been used in countless research studies and have contributed to numerous important advances in medicine.
Dr. Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist who conducted pioneering research in the prevention and treatment of blindness and invented laserphaco cataract surgery.
Dr. Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist who conducted pioneering research in the prevention and treatment of blindness and invented laserphaco cataract surgery.
Dr. Kenneth Forde was a surgeon and pioneer in cancer screening who famously performed a televised colonoscopy on Katie Couric to raise awareness.
Dr. Kenneth Forde was a surgeon and pioneer in cancer screening who famously performed a televised colonoscopy on Katie Couric to raise awareness.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman physician in the U.S. She also authored “A Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts."
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman physician in the U.S. She also authored “A Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts."
Dr. Janet L. Mitchell was an OBGYN who developed protocols for the treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women in the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S.
Dr. Janet L. Mitchell was an OBGYN who developed protocols for the treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women in the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S.
Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first African American licensed nurse. She contributed greatly to the nursing profession as well as to advancing women's rights.
Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first African American licensed nurse. She contributed greatly to the nursing profession as well as to advancing women's rights.
Dr. Marilyn H. Gaston was first African American woman to lead a U.S. Public Health Service bureau. She has also conducted pioneering research in sickle cell disease.
Dr. Marilyn H. Gaston was first African American woman to lead a U.S. Public Health Service bureau. She has also conducted pioneering research in sickle cell disease.
Bernard J. Tyson was the first African American CEO of Kaiser Permanente, and was recently considered one of the most influential healthcare leaders in the U.S. until his death in 2019.
Bernard J. Tyson was the first African American CEO of Kaiser Permanente, and was recently considered one of the most influential healthcare leaders in the U.S. until his death in 2019.
Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena, Senior Scholar-in-Residence at NYAM, is a world renowned expert in pediatrics and child abuse and was the first woman president of SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena, Senior Scholar-in-Residence at NYAM, is a world renowned expert in pediatrics and child abuse and was the first woman president of SUNY Upstate Medical University.
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