Percy L. Julian, a research chemist, pioneered the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. His work led to the development of treatments for glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and more, as well as the production of steroids. Julian received more than 130 patents during his career and was the second black chemist to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

Physician Jane Cooke Wright’s pivotal research in chemotherapy drugs led to remissions in patients with leukemia and lymphoma. At age 33, Wright was appointed head of the Cancer Research Foundation and went on to become the first Black female associate dean of a medical institution and the first woman president of the New York Cancer Society.

Despite graduating from Harvard University, William A. Hinton, MD, faced extreme racial discrimination that halted his career in surgery. Not one to give up, he turned to the laboratory and became an expert on syphilis, inventing a new blood test for diagnosing the disease that was adopted by the U.S. Public Health Service. Hinton taught at Harvard for 30 years and was the first Black full-time professor at the institution.

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As a child, Marilyn Hughes Gaston, MD, knew she wanted to be a doctor. Although she faced prejudice while pursuing her education, she achieved her dream and transformed the medical industry when a study she published led to the development of a sickle cell disease screening program for newborns, making early treatment possible for the first time. Gaston dedicated her career to providing medical care to poor and minority families and became the first Black female director of the Bureau of Primary Health Care in the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

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Surgeon Charles Richard Drew, MD is known as the “Father of the Blood Bank”. Through his research on blood transfusions, he discovered that plasma could be stored for long periods of time and reconstituted, and was consequently appointed to head the development of America’s first large-scale blood bank. His blood banking process saved thousands of lives during World War II and was adopted by the American Red Cross.

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Patricia Bath, MD was both the first Black female to study ophthalmology and the first to receive a medical patent. Bath invented the Laserphaco probe, which utilized laser technology to safely perform non-invasive cataract surgery and restore sight. On a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the gift of sight in underserved communities throughout the world, Bath, along with three other colleagues, founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness in 1977.

Image Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine