Leffall L D
Department of Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
Am J Surg. 1998 Oct;176(4):361-5. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9610(98)00203-7.
The Society of Black Academic Surgeons was founded, not to foster any measure of separatism or exclusivity, but rather to encourage and nurture black surgeons to pursue careers and participate fully in all phases of academic surgery. The Society meets annually with varied scientific presentations by its members. State-of-the-art lectures by nationally acclaimed surgical leaders remain an integral part of the program. On this occasion, it seems appropriate to recall the contributions of some of our colleagues and especially their relationship to the American College of Surgeons (the College, or ACS). We are well aware that progress in academic surgery did not begin with those of us currently on the scene but rather that our paths have been made smoother by those who have gone before us. To that end, I have chosen seven black surgeons who played major roles in these efforts. Owing to space constraints, only abbreviated accounts of their contributions will be given. Oral and written versions of their lives demonstrate a keenness of mind and strength of character that enabled them to confront various indignities while persevering to achieve their goals. Equally important was the demonstration of good will, justice, and fair play by some leaders in American surgery who afforded these seven stalwarts the opportunity to train, to develop, and to succeed. Both groups deserve our praise, tribute, and respect. Prudence dictates that no special mention be made of the living; thus, I will side with prudence and restrict my statements to the contributions of seven colleagues who have departed this vale. These seven surgical exemplars are Daniel H. Williams, Louis T. Wright, Frederick D. Stubbs, William H. Sinkler, Matthew Walker, Charles R. Drew, and Samuel L. Kountz.
黑人学术外科医生协会的成立，并非为了助长任何形式的分裂主义或排他性，而是为了鼓励和培养黑人外科医生投身相关职业，并全面参与学术外科的各个阶段。该协会每年都会举行会议，会员们会在会上进行各种科学报告。由全国知名外科领军人物带来的前沿讲座始终是会议日程的重要组成部分。在这个场合，回顾一些同事的贡献，尤其是他们与美国外科医师学会（该学会，或简称 ACS）的关系，似乎是恰当的。我们深知，学术外科的进步并非始于我们这些当下在场的人，而是我们的前辈们让我们的道路变得更加顺畅。为此，我挑选了七位在这些努力中发挥了重要作用的黑人外科医生。由于篇幅限制，这里只能简略介绍他们的贡献。他们的生平事迹的口述和文字版本都展现出敏锐的头脑和坚强的性格，使他们能够在面对各种侮辱时坚持不懈地实现自己的目标。同样重要的是，美国外科领域的一些领导者展现出的善意、正义和公平竞争精神，为这七位坚定者提供了培训、发展和成功的机会。这两类人都值得我们的赞扬、敬意和尊重。出于谨慎考虑，不应对在世者进行特别提及；因此，我将遵循谨慎原则，仅阐述七位已离世同事的贡献。这七位外科典范分别是丹尼尔·H·威廉姆斯、路易斯·T·赖特、弗雷德里克·D·斯塔布斯、威廉·H·辛克勒、马修·沃克、查尔斯·R·德鲁和塞缪尔·L·孔茨。
