Feb 20 2025
Black History Month 2025 – Celebrating Pediatric Healthcare Leaders
h in News
As we celebrate Black History Month this year, Wake Up Narcolepsy (WUN) is proud to highlight the contributions of several outstanding leaders who impacted pediatric healthcare. Their dedication and achievements have paved the way for better health outcomes for children.
Much of the information about these remarkable individuals comes from the “Changing the Face of Medicine” series by the National Library of Medicine. Make sure to visit the links provided to learn more about each person!
Dr. Roselyn Payne Epps, born in 1930, achieved numerous firsts throughout her career. She was the first African American local president (1974) and national president (1991) of the American Medical Women’s Association. Additionally, Dr. Epps was the first African American and woman to head the D.C. chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1988 and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia in 1992.
Dr. Epps was known for her unwavering commitment to advocacy for women, minorities and underserved communities. She influenced various fields using her expertise as both a doctor and an administrator.
She graduated with honors from Howard University in 1955 and earned her master’s degree from John Hopkins University in 1973. Throughout her life, she wrote numerous articles and co-edited books such as The Women’s Complete Healthbook.
Dr. M. Jocelyn Elders, born in 1933, is a groundbreaking figure in pediatric endocrinology. In 1978, she became the first board-certified pediatric endocrinologist in Arkansas and later served as the 15th Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Elders was the first African American and second woman to lead the U.S. Public Health Service.
Her journey to becoming a physician was inspired by Dr. Edith Irby Jones, the first African American to attend the University of Arkansas Medical School, who spoke at the college she was attending. Dr. Elders enlisted into the Army after college and trained in physical therapy before enrolling in medical school. According to Harvard’s “Perspectives of Change,” she graduated in 1960 as the only woman in her class from the University of Arkansas and later earned her master’s degree.
Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston, born in 1939, made history in 1990 as the first African American woman to direct a Public Health Service Bureau. Her determination to become a doctor was evident from a young age, despite facing significant obstacles due to poverty and discrimination.
Dr. Gaston pursued her undergraduate studies at Miami University and later earned her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She has been recognized for her contributions to public health and received numerous awards, including the National Medical Association Scroll of Merit and Lifetime Achievement Award. The cities of Cincinnati and Lincoln Heights, Ohio, commemorate “Marilyn Hughes Gaston Day” and a scholarship is awarded annually in her honor at her alma mater.
Let’s come together to educate ourselves and others about influential figures in Black history, both this month and beyond. We encourage you to delve deeper into the contributions of the leaders highlighted here to honor their achievements and legacies.