Conference on the History of African Americans in the Health Professions

June 14, 2013 - June 16, 2013

National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W.

Free and open to the public. Registration and photo ID required.

African American health professionals, from doctors to dentists to nurses to lay midwives to public health professionals, have played a major role in improving the health of all persons in the US, especially those of color; yet little is known about these contributions. This free conference, sponsored by the University of Virginia and hosted by Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences is designed to disseminate resources focusing on the history and impact of African American health professionals, particularly in the 20th century.

Speakers will address the need for greater diversity of the health professions and how the learning environment serves as a barrier to achieving this national goal. Educators actively engaged in teaching will describe their programs and feedback from students about the richness and meaning of these courses. Participants will learn about, and get practice accessing free online resources designed for use in the classroom from middle school to universities and health professions schools.

Speakers will also describe traveling exhibits that feature the historic contributions of African American health professionals and scientists in advancing the health of the American public. They will provide information on how to request free of charge use of these exhibits, and examples of how colleges and libraries have incorporated these exhibits into Black History Month, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and public outreach activities.

More information

Co-sponsors:
ASALH - Association for the Study of African American Life and History
NAMME - National Association of Minority Medical Educators
Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity and the Elimination of Health Disparities, Board on Population health, Institute of Medicine
The Carter G. Woodson institute on African American and African Studies
The Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Sullivan Alliance to Transform the Health Professions