Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology | Department Of Medicine. Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary | UCSF Medical Center. American Experience | Partners of the Heart | Early Years. African American Medical Pioneers Vivien Thomas followed in the footsteps of other African Americans who made advances in medicine and helped to improve people's lives.
Explore the profiles of six pioneers who held themselves to a standard of excellence, although the odds were stacked against them. Charles DrewPlasma researcher Dr. Daniel Hale WilliamsFirst successful open heart surgery Dr. Mary Eliza MahoneyFirst African American nurse Ms. James McCune SmithFirst American to earn a medical degree Dr. Rebecca Lee CrumplerFirst African American woman to earn a medical degree Dr. William Augustus HintonInternationally renowned researcher and the first black doctor to teach at Harvard Dr. Health Topics. Home Page | NCCAM.