Articles, Black and Brown-Owned Businesses, Black History Month, Woman-Owned Businesses

Dr Daniel Hale Williams

Black History Month Part 2: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

April Heath

02/10/2025

It’s Black History Month AND American Heart Health Month. What could I write about other than esteemed historical figure, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams?


Dr. Williams was born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on January 18, 1856.  Daniel was the eldest son of eight children.  When he was around the age of 10, his father died of tuberculosis. Daniel graduated with an M.D. degree in 1883 at Chicago Medical College.  Dr. Williams practiced medicine in Chicago at a time when there were only three other black physicians in Chicago.

He soon began teaching anatomy at Chicago Medical College and served as surgeon to the City Railway Company. In 1889, the governor of Illinois appointed him to the state’s board of health.

In 1891, Williams opened Provident Hospital, the first medical facility to have an interracial staff. He performed the world’s first successful heart surgery, in 1893. Williams later became chief surgeon of the Freedmen’s Hospital.

ICYMI: Swedish massage has many benefits for patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions. Find out more here.


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