May Edward Chinn

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May Edward Chinn 1917
May Edward Chinn
BornApril 15, 1896
Great Barrington, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedDecember 1, 1980
New York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPhysician, medical researcher
Known forFirst African-American woman to graduate from Bellevue Hospital Medical College


May Edward Chinn (April 15, 1896 – December 1, 1980) was an American physician and medical researcher. She was the first African-American woman to graduate from Bellevue Hospital Medical College and the first African-American woman to intern at Harlem Hospital.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

May Edward Chinn was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, to parents who were formerly enslaved. She moved to New York City with her family, where she attended Columbia University's Teachers College, earning a degree in music. However, her interest in medicine led her to pursue further education at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, where she graduated in 1926.

Medical career[edit | edit source]

After graduating, Chinn faced significant racial and gender discrimination but persevered to become the first African-American woman to intern at Harlem Hospital. She later established a private practice in Harlem, where she provided medical care to underserved communities.

Chinn was known for her dedication to early cancer detection and was one of the first physicians to use the Pap smear test for cervical cancer screening. She also conducted research at the Strang Clinic and worked closely with prominent cancer researchers.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

May Edward Chinn's contributions to medicine, particularly in the field of cancer detection, have had a lasting impact. She broke significant racial and gender barriers in the medical field, paving the way for future generations of African-American women in medicine.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]


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