Download - Wake Forest Medical School African-Americans in … in Medicine 1923 George Black was the original mason of the 1923 North Carolina Baptist Hospital’s main building. Here, he is

Wake Forest Medical School African-Americans in Medicine

Melting Pot III for Cultural Awareness Committee

Feb. 6, 2012

Dianne Johnson

Dorothy Carpenter Medical Archives

African-Americans in Medicine


1923

George Black was the original mason of the 1923 North Carolina Baptist Hospital’s main building. Here, he is holding a brick from the destruction of “Old Main” in 1978. Mr. Black is Winston-Salem’s famous mason. His bricks can be found in many buildings including Old Salem.


1942

Savannah Williams’ title in the Department of Anatomy was diener because he took care of the cadavers. He also served as the medical school’s janitorial staff, chief maintenance man and operator of the crematorium. He retired in 1966. Here, he is pictured with Harry Parker, the school’s controller.


1965

Dr. Joseph G. Gordon joined the faculty of Bowman Gray as assistant professor of radiology in 1965, becoming the first African American faculty member. Upon arriving in Winston-Salem in 1956 as director of radiology at Kate Bitting Reynolds Hospital, he started unofficial relations with two Bowman Gray radiologists. He joined several professional associations, forging his way, legally and eventually for others, onto the Bowman Gray faculty.

Kate Bitting Reynolds Hospital

The photo shows the former location Kate Bitting Reynolds Hospital which opened in July 1938 with 100 beds. In February 1941, 90 more beds were opened making it the third largest African American hospital in the United States. Kate Bitting Reynolds Hospital was replaced in 1970 by Reynolds Memorial Hospital and now it is the Downtown Health Plaza.


1972

Dr. William T. Grimes Jr. was the first African-American student to graduate from Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1972. Here, he receives a scholarship in 1969 from Dr. Robert L. Tuttle, dean of student affairs. Dr. Grimes was president of the student government and of the student chapters of the American Medical Association and National Medical Association.


1975

Bowman Gray School of Medicine graduates its first African American female

Yvonne J. Weaver


1982

Dr. Velma Watts became the director of the Office of Minority Affairs in 1982 after Dr. Gordon, the first director in 1975. In February 1983, she secured a $5,000 Minority Achievement Program grant from the Association of American Medical Colleges. She retired in 2000 as associate professor of medical education.


1988

Three nursing directors at North Carolina Baptist Hospital (L-R): Gwen Andrews, Joyce Warren and Michalene Maringer enjoy the fiftieth anniversary celebration of Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1991. Andrews was director of Nursing Services from 1974-1988; Warren was the second director of the School of Nursing from 1952-1973 and Maringer joined the staff in 1990.


1998

Michael L. Clements served as the director of Reynolds Health Center when it opened in January 1998 on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Primary services offered then were internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. Dental services were offered on a limited basis. Clements is now at the Winston-Salem Foundation.

https://www.wsfoundation.org/NetCommunity/sslpage.aspx




2000s

Some familiar faces, as we end:

Dr. Amy McMichael Interim Chair, Dermatology Director of Dermatology Residency Program Director, Hair Disorders Clinic

Dr. Brenda A. Latham-Sadler Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine Assistant Dean for Student Services Director for Diversity and Development Initiatives