Daniel Hale Williams

The Pioneer of Open Heart Surgery


There have been many achievements and important discoveries from African Americans that contributed to the advancement of the American people. I would have to write volumes to name every one so I decided to choose a major accomplishment. Open Heart Surgery is one great accomplishments of America to date. Daniel Hale Williams performed the first open heart surgery July 9,1883. This was at a time when blacks still were not accepted as human beings or as a part of society. Daniel overcame many adversities to become a doctor and help with the advancement of African Americans. Though Williams's practice thrived, he saw that opportunities in the medical field were limited for black people. So in 1891, Williams founded Provident Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. It was country's first black-owned hospital and had an interracial staff and nurse training school. Provident Hospital is still open today. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams came from humble beginni...