Jane C. Wright

Fig 1.Clinical Criteria

Jane C. Wright (November 30, 1919 – February 19, 2013) was a pioneering oncologist and cancer researcher who made significant contributions to chemotherapy. Wright was part of a medical dynasty; her father, Dr. Louis T. Wright, was one of the first African American graduates from Harvard Medical School and a notable surgeon. Her grandfather, Dr. Ceah Ketcham Wright, was also a physician. This lineage deeply influenced her career and dedication to medicine.

Early Life and Education

Jane Cooke Wright was born in New York City. She graduated with honors from New York Medical College in 1945, at a time when African American women physicians were a rarity. Wright's early interest in medical research was nurtured by her father, who was involved in cancer research. After completing her internship at Bellevue Hospital in 1946, she joined Harlem Hospital as a resident, where she worked under her father's guidance in the Cancer Research Foundation he had established.

Career

In 1949, Wright joined the staff at the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Foundation, where she began her groundbreaking work in chemotherapy. At a time when surgery and radiation were the primary treatments for cancer, Wright's research focused on developing chemotherapy as a viable treatment option. She was among the first to test the use of methotrexate, a drug still used today for certain types of cancer.

Wright's work extended beyond the laboratory. In 1952, she joined the faculty at New York University School of Medicine as an instructor in research surgery, where she continued her chemotherapy research. She became an associate professor in 1967 and was appointed head of the cancer chemotherapy department at NYU Medical Center, making her the highest-ranking African American woman in a US medical institution at the time.

In 1964, Wright was a co-founder of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), an organization that plays a critical role in advancing cancer research and treatment.

Contributions and Legacy

Wright's research contributed to the development of chemotherapy as a cornerstone of cancer treatment. She worked on identifying and testing new drugs and developed techniques to deliver these drugs directly to tumors. Her work significantly improved survival rates for various types of cancer.

Wright was also a trailblazer for African American women in medicine. She broke barriers in academic and research institutions at a time when both racial and gender discrimination were rampant.

Throughout her career, Wright received numerous awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to cancer research and her pioneering role as a female African American physician.

Death and Posthumous Recognition

Jane C. Wright passed away on February 19, 2013, at the age of 93. Her legacy lives on through the Jane C. Wright Foundation, which continues to support cancer research and honors her life's work. Wright's pioneering research and dedication to medicine have left an indelible mark on the field of oncology, inspiring future generations of physicians and researchers.