Throughout history, extraordinary people have refused to conform, broken down boundaries, and created paths for subsequent generations to follow. One such pioneer is the great Dr. Lena Frances Edwards, who made a name for herself in the medical field. Not only did she break barriers by becoming one of the first Black women to get board certification in obstetrics and gynecology, but she also permanently altered the course of medicine.
The Early Years
Washington, D.C. native Lena Frances Edwards was born in 1900 during an era when Black women, and women generally, had very few options. Notwithstanding these obstacles, her ardent love for medicine shone through, leading her to achieve distinction.
Lena Frances Edwards attended the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania for medical school after finishing her bachelor's degree at Howard University. Despite the pervasive racism in her day, she continued to do very well in school and earned a diploma with honors in 1924. Dr. Edwards decided to focus on women's health after earning her medical degree.
Lena's Career
Dr. Edwards encountered several challenges, including institutionalized racism, in the early stages of her professional life. Being Black didn't stop several institutions from rejecting her medical credentials. She was unfazed and committed to giving her patients the best treatment possible.
Dr. Edwards finally settled into her role at Chicago's Provident Hospital, where she made history shortly after. Her 1930 board certification made her history as the first Black woman to have that title in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Many Black women were finally able to get the high-quality medical treatment they had been denied for so long because of her steadfast commitment and extensive knowledge in the area.
Pushing Boundaries
Dr. Edwards was never satisfied with her amazing accomplishments; she kept challenging the status quo. The International College of Surgeons admitted her in 1942, marking another milestone in her path to medical renown and acceptance.
In her work as a doctor, Dr. Edwards was an outspoken supporter of women's equality in the field. A member of the National Medical Association who devoted herself to bettering healthcare for Black Americans, she battled ceaselessly for racial and gender equality. Her coworkers and patients held her in high esteem because of her strong leadership and steadfast dedication to her work.
The Legacy She Left
In addition to her remarkable medical accomplishments, Dr. Lena Frances Edwards is remembered for her tenacious advocacy for justice and equality. She persevered through the challenges that came her way with poise, power and resolve. We still marvel at everything that she did and remember how much of an influence she had on gynecology and obstetrics today.
Remembering Dr. Lena Frances Edwards as an innovator and role model for those who want to make a change is important as we reflect on her incredible life and work. Her dogged persistence and resilience show that nothing is impossible and that we can overcome any challenge to become the best version of ourselves.
Legendary physician Dr. Lena Frances Edwards will go down in history as a trailblazing woman who pushed boundaries, battled for equality, and revolutionized healthcare.
Modern Day Lena Frances Edwards
While finding an exact modern equivalent can be challenging, Dr. Aletha Maybank could be considered. Dr. Maybank is a prominent physician and the Chief Health Equity Officer at the American Medical Association, focusing on issues related to health disparities and equity, continuing the legacy of individuals like Lena Frances Edwards in addressing healthcare inequalities.
Dr. Maybank was the Founding Deputy Commissioner for the Center for Health Equity at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (2014) before joining the AMA. The Centre was lauded by NYC leadership, the CDC, and the WHO for its equitable initiatives and corporate culture change. She helped promote neighborhood equality and the Department's place-based health equity strategy. She pioneered work as Founding Director of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Office of Minority Health (2006).
Dr. Maybank has taught medical and public health students about health disparities, leadership and management, physician advocacy, and community organizing. Dr. Maybank co-founded "We Are Doc McStuffins" in 2012 with a group of Black women medical leaders to raise awareness of diversity in medicine.
She is a sought-after health expert on NPR, MSNBC, NewsOne, Roland Martin, the Lancet, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. Recently, she was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and wrote “The Pandemic’s Missing Data” for the New York Times to raise awareness of US structural inequalities owing to her leadership in COVID-19 response efforts. The bi-weekly AMA online series "Prioritizing Equity" highlights doctors championing equity in COVID-19 response efforts.
Doctor Maybank has a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, an M.D. from Temple University, and an M.P.H. from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Her specialty is pediatrics and preventive medicine/public health.