Dr. James McCune Smith

James McCune Smith painting (www.jamesmccunesmith.com)

My hero is Dr. James McCune Smith (April 18, 1813 - November 17, 1865) who was the first African American with a medical degree, able to practice in the U.S. He originally was supposed to be at a U.S. college studying in the medical field, but things happened. The racist admissions policies were so bad in college that he had to go overseas. He was so dedicated to becoming what he wanted to be he was willing to leave the United States to pursue his degree.

He also was the first black physician to have a medical scientific paper published, in the New York Journal of Medicine in 1844. It's amazing how many firsts this man truly had. He tried to speak against racial issues; he attacked slavery and racial theories. He was a hardworking doctor and a political/social activist and he never let the title of being the first go to his head and that's why he is my hero.

Dr. James McCune Smith had to go all the way to Scotland during the 1800's and in 1837 he received his medical degree from the University of Glasgow. The funny thing is, though racist policies in America prevented him from going to college here, in Scotland their medical schools were actually better than the U.S. I love how he never gave up. Mr. Smith always found a way to do what he wanted to do without being hindered.

He shows me what forgiveness is because Dr. Smith treated both black and white patients in New York City though he had been mistreated. He didn't hold a grudge even though there were racists in society. He treated them the best he could just like the rest of his patients. He was even friends with Frederick Douglass.

He also was the first black physician to have a medical scientific paper published, in the New York Journal of Medicine in 1844. It's amazing how many firsts this man truly had. He tried to speak against racial issues, he attacked slavery and racial theories. He was a hardworking doctor and a political/social activist, he never let the title of first go to his head and that's why he is my hero.