African American Healers

Throughout American history, determined African Americans havebecome healers. As doctors, nurses, and scientists, they have madevital contributions to the health of the American people.The road to attaining the knowledge these healers longed for was adifficult one. But they kept going, despite the obstacles. Thesehealers would not only mend the ills of the sick, but would alsofound schools, build hospitals, and fight for equal treatment aswell as for the rights of their patients.These true and inspiring stories of some of the great AfricanAmerican healers show you how:Dr. James Durham, the first African American doctor, saved thelives of more yellow fever victims than most doctors in colonialPhiladelphia.* Susie King Taylor began nursing both black and white soldiers atthe age of thirteen when the Civil War began and cared for themthroughout the war.* Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, who founded Provident Hospital inChicago, saved a patient's life by performing the first successfulopen-heart