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Black and STEMbruary Days 14 and 15.
Feb. 15th, 2025 03:55 pm14. Charles R. Drew, MD.
Dr. Drew is considered the father of the blood bank. He was a surgeon whose research focused on shock and blood transfusion. He discovered plasma extracted from blood, if stored properly, could be usable for two months. Plasma doesn't need to be type-specific, since the antibodies in question are found on red blood cells. During WWII, he led the "Blood for Britain" campaign, encouraging Americans to donate blood to support Allied troops who needed transfusions. In this manner, 5500 vials of blood plasma were shipped to the UK, saving the lives of thousands. When the US entered the war, Drew was offered a spot at the Red Cross to the same for American soldiers. But the US Military insisted on keeping blood separate based on race, a decision he didn't agree with. Frustrated, he resigned from his post. He took at position at Howard, where he trained up and coming black surgeons.
15. Patricia E. Bath, MD
Dr. Bath was an ophthalmologist, humanitarian, and trailblazer. She did a LOT:
First woman to lead a graduate program in ophthalmology
First black woman to be on staff as a surgeon at UCLA Medical Center
First black person to be an ophthalmology resident at New York University
Performed outreach in underserved neighborhoods and operated on Harlem Hospital patients for free
Performed surgery in developing nations
Co-founded the American Institute to Prevent Blindness
She perforrmed research on racial disparities in vision care and the treatment of cataracts. She invented a technique for treating cataracts (laser phacoemulsification with an ultrasonic probe) and was the first black woman to receive a medical patent. Super exciting stuff!
Dr. Drew is considered the father of the blood bank. He was a surgeon whose research focused on shock and blood transfusion. He discovered plasma extracted from blood, if stored properly, could be usable for two months. Plasma doesn't need to be type-specific, since the antibodies in question are found on red blood cells. During WWII, he led the "Blood for Britain" campaign, encouraging Americans to donate blood to support Allied troops who needed transfusions. In this manner, 5500 vials of blood plasma were shipped to the UK, saving the lives of thousands. When the US entered the war, Drew was offered a spot at the Red Cross to the same for American soldiers. But the US Military insisted on keeping blood separate based on race, a decision he didn't agree with. Frustrated, he resigned from his post. He took at position at Howard, where he trained up and coming black surgeons.
15. Patricia E. Bath, MD
Dr. Bath was an ophthalmologist, humanitarian, and trailblazer. She did a LOT:
First woman to lead a graduate program in ophthalmology
First black woman to be on staff as a surgeon at UCLA Medical Center
First black person to be an ophthalmology resident at New York University
Performed outreach in underserved neighborhoods and operated on Harlem Hospital patients for free
Performed surgery in developing nations
Co-founded the American Institute to Prevent Blindness
She perforrmed research on racial disparities in vision care and the treatment of cataracts. She invented a technique for treating cataracts (laser phacoemulsification with an ultrasonic probe) and was the first black woman to receive a medical patent. Super exciting stuff!
