Black History Month Feature: Dr. James McCune Smith

February is Black History Month! This year’s theme is “Black Health and Wellness” and the Hudson College of Public Health Sovereignty, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council is offering a three-week feature highlighting the many ways in which the Black community has contributed to healthcare!

Dr. James McCune Smith was an African American pioneer in public health and health care. He was born into slavery in 1813 in New York City. He attended the African Free School for his basic education and graduated from the school with 15 honors. He was denied entry by Columbia University and Geneva College based on race. He was accepted at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where he earned his medical degree.

Dr. McCune Smith became the first trained African American physician. He was also the first African American physician to have articles published in medical journals in the United States.  Dr. McCune Smith opened the first black-owned pharmacy in the United States. He was a well-respected influential physician who treated both black and white patients. He was heavily involved in leading abolitionist and would lecture and write, discrediting false scientific claims over genetic black inferiority.