At the turn of the 20th century, medicine was beginning a new era and escalating at an unprecedented pace. William Stewart Halsted, William Osler, William H. Welch, and Howard Attwood Kelly were laying the foundation for modern medicine and surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. They were in the prime of their careers and rapidly advancing their fields.1 By contrast, the presence of Black men in the medical field was minimal and the health of minority populations was abysmal. Very few medical colleges were allowing Black men to study and even fewer were accepting women. In the small town of Princeton, Indiana, however, a Black future surgeon was growing up.

Algernon Brashear Jackson was born to Charles A. and Sarah Brashear Jackson on May 21, 1878. He attended Princeton High School and went on to study at Indiana university where he was later accepted into medical school.2 He then transferred to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and became its first known Black graduate in 1901 (Fig. 1).3

Dr. Jackson's Black medical contemporaries included James Hume Miller (class of 1903) and Henry McKee Minton (class of 1906).4 His passion for public health and the needs of his community was fostered in his early training. Together with Dr. Minton, Dr. Jackson founded Sigma Pi Phi, known as Boule, a well-renowned Black honor society that still exists today. His career quickly accelerated, and in 1909, the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin published an article titled, "Only Negro Surgeon with White Doctors." He was appointed assistant in the Department of Surgery of the Polyclinic Hospital in Philadelphia, an allWhite hospital, and was noted to be "the most proficient surgeon of his race." 5 He became a member of many prestigious associations including the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the executive committee for the National Negro Business League, and the Afro-American National Medical Association.6

Although Dr. Jackson spent much of his early training in White hospitals, he recognized the needs of his own community and became an advocate for minorities and a pioneer for Black health in Philadelphia. On February 12, 1907, Dr. Jackson cofounded the Mercy Hospital (Fig. 2). Its mission was to create a place for the suffering humanity of every race and creed, within whose walls Black physicians practiced and studied to advance their profession.7 Dr. Jackson became a Surgeon-in-Chief and Superintendent at the Mercy Hospital. Not only was he an advocate for the Black population but he also announced in April 1916 that he planned to institute the department of domestic science for women.8 He was wholly dedicated to this hospital, with he and his family residing just down the street at 770 South 18th Street, the present day site of Marian Anderson Recreation Center.9 Little is known of his life outside of work. He seems to be a man committed to his career. He was married to Elizabeth A. Newman, the sister of William Newman, a prominent caterer in Philadelphia.2

As a surgeon, Dr. Jackson described new treatment for acute rheumatism using injections of magnesium sulfate.6 Although this treatment is no longer used today, he still left a lasting legacy to the medical field through his work on population health and the wellness of Black Americans. He was an avid writer and frequent contributor to the American and London medical journals. He urged that a foundation be established for the practical study of health and social conditions of the Black community.6 Dr. Jackson authored a poignant chapter in The Colored Situation titled "The Negroes' Health." There he stated:

The present day health status of the Negro in America is about 30 years behind that of the White man. The present day economic status of the Negro in America is about 130 years behind that of the White man. If, however, the economic status of the Negro were only 30 years behind that of the White man, the health condition of both would be the same. In a nutshell, here lies the problem.10

This demonstrates how boldly and loudly he recognized the disparities between races in America. He laid the foundation for future leaders of color including Dr. Martin Luther King, who was also a member of the Boule.11

Dr. Jackson's late career brought him to Washington D.C. where he was a professor of bacteriology, public health, and hygiene at Howard University College of Medicine. He continued to teach and contribute written commentary on the state of minority health until his death on October 22, 1942, at his home at 213 Florida Avenue N.W.12

In today's world where minorities are still disadvantaged and the wellness gaps between races are immense, Dr. Jackson's teachings still ring true. He taught that doctors who have "(...) lifted themselves beyond the pale poverty and ignorance should do their full duty toward [their] brethren lowest down." 10 Dr. Jackson put the onus back on physicians. He both stated and embodied the idea that it is a physician's duty to be a community leader, to develop innovative ways to provide healthcare and wellness for that community, and to stand up for the most vulnerable of the population.

The dark side of this story is that there is clearly a generation of physicians whose contributions to medicine have gone unrecognized. Although some received credit for their inventions, medical breakthroughs, and academic work, most of these early Black physicians likely made contributions of which today's medical society will never know. It is critical to pursue these truths and honor the memory of a group of physicians who were pioneers. They fearlessly embarked on a path with innumerable barriers and, regardless of scientific contributions, their perseverance paved the way for future Black physicians and leaders of color.