Roscoe Conkling Giles

Roscoe Conkling Giles

Roscoe Conkling Giles (1890–1970) was a pioneering African American physician and surgeon. He was the first African American to earn a degree from Cornell University's medical school and made significant contributions to the field of medicine and civil rights.

Early Life and Education

Roscoe Conkling Giles was born on May 6, 1890, in Albany, New York. He was named after Roscoe Conkling, a prominent Republican politician. Giles attended Cornell University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then went on to attend Weill Cornell Medical College, becoming the first African American to graduate from the institution in 1915.

Medical Career

After completing his medical degree, Giles interned at the Freedmen's Hospital in Washington, D.C., which was one of the few hospitals that provided training for African American doctors at the time. He later moved to Chicago, where he became a prominent surgeon and a leader in the African American medical community.

Giles was a founding member of the National Medical Association (NMA), an organization established to represent African American physicians who were excluded from the American Medical Association (AMA). He served as the NMA's president from 1935 to 1936.

Contributions to Medicine and Civil Rights

Throughout his career, Giles was a strong advocate for the rights of African American patients and physicians. He worked tirelessly to improve healthcare access and quality for African Americans. He also played a significant role in the desegregation of hospitals and medical facilities.

In addition to his medical practice, Giles was involved in various civil rights activities. He was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and worked closely with other civil rights leaders to promote equality and justice.

Legacy

Roscoe Conkling Giles left a lasting impact on the medical profession and the civil rights movement. His dedication to improving healthcare for African Americans and his efforts to break down racial barriers in medicine have been widely recognized and celebrated.

See Also

• National Medical Association
• Freedmen's Hospital
• Weill Cornell Medical College
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People