Science Spotlights

Daniel Hale Williams

Daniel Hale Williams was born on January 18, 1856, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Williams was an African American physician and surgeon. Williams started his medical career when he became an apprentice to Dr. Henry W. Palmer. He entered Chicago Medical College in 1880. After Graduation, Williams opened his own medical office in Chicago. In 1891, Williams opened Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses. This was the first interracial hospital in the United States. Williams made history as he became the first African American recorded to perform open heart surgery in 1893. In 1894, Williams was appointed chief surgeon of the Freedman's Hospital in Washington, DC. After leaving the Freedman's Hospital in 1899, Williams worked at Cook County Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital. In 1913, Williams became the only African American charter member of the American College of Surgeons. Williams died on August 4, 1931, in Idlewild, Michigan. Williams had suffered a debilitating stroke five years prior.