Rosalyn Scott

Rosalyn P. Scott (born 1950) is an African-American thoracic surgeon known for her work in education. She is the first African-American woman to become a thoracic surgeon.[1]

Early life and education

Scott was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of a dentist and homemaker. Her father's dental office was the source of Scott's early exposure to medicine, where she helped on Saturday mornings. She attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for her undergraduate education, and earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1970. She then went on to the New York University School of Medicine, graduating in 1974 and going on to residency in New York City. Scott began her thoracic surgery fellowship at Boston University Medical Center in 1977 and further specialized in cardiac surgery.[1] By doing this she became the first African American woman to begin a residency in cardiothoracic surgery.[2] She continued her training in cardiovascular surgery as a fellow at the Texas Heart Institute, completing her training in 1980.[1]

Career

After completing her postgraduate education, Scott was appointed an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical School, where she stayed until 1983. Then, she became a professor at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and the University of California, Los Angeles. There, she researched health care disparities affecting people with cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, and occupational stress affecting surgeons.[1] In 1987, she left UCLA, and in 2007, she left Drew for Wright State University.[3][4]

Throughout Scott's career, she has been a pioneer for African-American women in her field. The first African-American woman thoracic surgeon, she was also the first African-American woman to be admitted to the Society of University Surgeons. She co-founded two organizations to support other surgeons and encourage students to fight discrimination: the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, founded in 1986, and the Association of Black Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons, founded in 1999.[1]

Honors and awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Changing the Face of Medicine | Dr. Rosalyn P. Scott". www.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  2. ↑ "A Pioneering Cardiothoracic Surgeon" (PDF). NYU Physician. New York University. 2010. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  3. ↑ "Rosalyn P. Scott, M.D., M.S.H.A - Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons". www.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  4. ↑ "Rosalyn P Scott | people.wright.edu | Wright State University". people.wright.edu. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
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