As a leading voice in healthcare advocacy, the McCune Smith Cordice Medical Society (MCSC) is dedicated to championing policy positions that promote equity, access, and inclusivity in healthcare. With a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that perpetuate health disparities, MCSC takes a proactive stance on key policy issues to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for all. Policy Positions Championing Equity and Access in Healthcare As a leading voice in healthcare advocacy, the McCune Smith Cordice Medical Society (MCSC) is dedicated to championing policy positions that promote equity, access, and inclusivity in healthcare. With a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that perpetuate health disparities, MCSC takes a proactive stance on key policy issues to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for all. 01 Healthcare Access and Affordability: MCSC advocates for policies that ensure equitable access to affordable healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity. This includes supporting initiatives to expand Medicaid coverage, increase funding for community health centers, and reduce out-of-pocket costs for essential healthcare services. 02 Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health: Recognizing the impact of social determinants of health on health outcomes, MCSC calls for policies that address underlying socioeconomic factors such as poverty, education, and housing. By advocating for investments in social services, community development, and economic empowerment, MCSC aims to eliminate disparities in health outcomes and improve the overall well-being of marginalized communities. 03 Workforce Diversity and Inclusion: MCSC advocates for policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the healthcare workforce. This includes supporting initiatives to increase the representation of minority physicians in leadership positions, enhance cultural competency training for healthcare providers, and address implicit bias in medical education and training programs. 04 Maternal and Infant Health: MCSC is committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly among minority populations who experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality. MCSC supports policies aimed at expanding access to prenatal care, reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, and addressing racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. 05 Mental Health and Substance Abuse: MCSC advocates for policies that prioritize mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and support services. This includes supporting initiatives to increase access to mental health care providers, expand coverage for mental health services, and destigmatize mental illness within communities of color. 06 Healthcare Disparities Research and Data Collection: MCSC calls for policies that promote research and data collection on healthcare disparities to better understand the root causes of inequities and develop targeted interventions. This includes advocating for increased funding for disparities research, improving data collection methods to capture race and ethnicity data more accurately, and promoting the use of data-driven approaches to address disparities. 07 Hotels & Resorts Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Help people become familiar with the business and its offerings, creating a sense of connection and trust. Focus on what makes the business unique and how users can benefit from choosing it. 08 Healthcare Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Help people become familiar with the business and its offerings, creating a sense of connection and trust. Focus on what makes the business unique and how users can benefit from choosing it. 09 Transportation Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Help people become familiar with the business and its offerings, creating a sense of connection and trust. Focus on what makes the business unique and how users can benefit from choosing it.

Welcome physicians! Find tailored resources and opportunities here for your medical journey, from professional development to networking and wellness support. Join us in advancing medicine and championing equitable healthcare. PHYSICIANS - Welcome! Physicians Welcome physicians! Find tailored resources and opportunities here for your medical journey, from professional development to networking and wellness support. Join us in advancing medicine and championing equitable healthcare. - SEE MORE Continuing Medical Education (CME) Access accredited courses and workshops to stay updated on the latest advancements in your field and fulfill your continuing education requirements. Fulfill your continuing education Continuing Medical Education (CME) Practice Management Guides Achieve Your Dream Explore comprehensive guides and resources to streamline your practice operations, improve efficiency, and enhance patient care delivery. SEE MORE - Networking Opportunities Expand your professional network. Connect with fellow physicians within our community to share insights, collaborate on research, and build professional relationships. SEE MORE - Advocacy Initiatives Promoting health equity Get involved in advocacy campaigns aimed at addressing healthcare disparities, promoting health equity, and advocating for policies that benefit patients and providers alike. SEE MORE - Wellness Support Resilience, in work & life Prioritize your well-being with resources and programs designed to support physician wellness, resilience, and work-life balance. SEE MORE - Career Development Achieve your professional goals Access career guidance, mentorship programs, and job opportunities to navigate your career path and achieve your professional goals. SEE MORE - Exclusive Discounts Enjoy exclusive discounts Enjoy exclusive discounts on events, courses, and resources tailored specifically for members of our medical society. SEE MORE -

MISSION STATEMENT To be a networking platform for minority physicians in the Greater New York area, and provide guidance and support as they address their unique challenges and those of their patients - through education, community outreach, political influence, advocacy, and mentorship. Applicant Information First name Last name Address City State Zip Email Office Address Address City State Zip Email Preferred Mailing Address? Home Office Education Medical School: Health Professional School: Degree? MD DO Other Medical Specialty: Licensure Number/State Membership Selection and Dues Active Physician – $200 licensed physicians (MD/DO), dentists, pharmacists in good standing and licensed to practice in NYS Affiliate – $150 providers that no longer reside or practice in New York State but wish to remain affiliated with the Society and participate in the activities of the Society Residents and Fellows – $75 graduates of recognized allopathic or osteopathic medical schools who are in training in accredited postgraduate programs in the tri-State area Students – $50 enrolled in recognized allopathic or osteopathic medical schools in the State of New York who choose to participate in the activities of the Society Retired – $100 fully retired from the practice of medicine and will abide by all membership requirements of the Society Emeritus membership – all past officers who have been in good standing for at least five years and have made significant contributions to the Society Honorary - Elected by the Society References Please list two professional references. Full Name: Relationship Phone Address Please list second professional reference. Full Name: Relationship Phone Address Disclaimer and Signature I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. If this application leads to membership, I understand that false or misleading information in my application may result in my dismissal from the society. Signature Drawing mode selected. Drawing requires a mouse or touchpad. For keyboard accessibility, select Type or Upload. Date Month Day Year Submit Click on the file below to download the membership form Pay by Zelle to mccunesmithcordice@gmail.com

Publications

First name* Last name* Phone* Email* Message - SUBMIT CONTACT Office Address 1002 Second Avenue PO Box 915 New Hyde Park, NY 11040-9998

GO Sorry no result found Olusegun Gastro-Enterology 192-03 Jamaica Avenue, Hollis, NY 11423 718-217-7744 Adeonnigbagbe MD L. George General Surgery/Trauma Surgery 2201 Hempstead Tpke, East Meadow, NY 11554 516-572-0123 Angus MD, MPH Louis Surgical Oncology/General Surgery 1615 Northern Boulevard Suite 302 Manhasset, NY 11030 516-775-2070 Auguste MD, MPH, FACS, FSSO ljaugustemd@gmail.com Carlton B Urology 438 Elmont Rd, Elmont, NY 11003 516-328-8775 Barnswell MD, MPH Linda Family Medicine 1413 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11216 718-636-4500 Bastien MD lbastienmd@gmail.com Peggy OBGYN 41 E Post Road White Plains, NY 10601 914-681-0600 Bastien MD ppbastien@aol.com Magdala Obstetrics and Gynecology 200 Old Country Road Suite 141 Mineola, NY 11501 516-856-0046 Beauvil DO magdala_b@hotmail.com Nicole Obstetrics and Gynecology 1 Hollow Lane suite 315 Lake Success, NY 11042 5164374300 Bell MD Nickybmd@aol.com Louis Psychiatry Retired Belzie MD, MPH mdart247@aol.com Samantha Obstetrics and Gynecology 1991 Marcus Ave 2nd Fl New Hyde Park, NY 11042 646-680-4227 Bosse MD Roger Pulmonologist 120-31 Guy R Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11434 7189491900 Boykin MD Tyrone Pediatrics 117-06 225 Street Cambria Heights, NY 11411 718-712-8511 Brown MD tbrownmd2@gmail.com Stephanie OBGYN 600 Northern Blvd Great Neck Ny 11021 5164826100 Buck-Haskin MD sbuckhaskinmd@gmail.com Alan Anesthesiology 270-03 76th Ave New Hyde Park, NY 718-470-7390 Butler MD, MS-MBA Albmd12@gmail.com Georges J. Psychiatry - Addiction Medicine Casimir MD Geoffrey Internal Medicine/Infectious disease 1 Dakota Drive Suite 205 New Hyde Park, NY 11042 516-656-6500 Casimir MD Marie Daniella Psychiatry Charles-Belzie MD mcharlesbelzie@aol.com Roselyne Family Medicine Chery-Cyrille MD kegotom@yahoo.com Jean Claude Internal Medicine Retired Compas MD Roxanne Obstetrics and Gynecology Dept of Ob/GYN, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset Connell MD, MBA rconnel9@gmail.com Yvon Pediatrics, Neonatal Perinatal Medicine St Charles hospital 200 Belle Terre road Port Jefferson NY 11777 631-474-6577 Damour MD Yvondamour@gmail.com Monique Obstetrics and Gynecology 270-05076th Ave New Hyde Park, NY 11040 718-470-7660 DeFour Jones MD, MS-MBA Mergie Family Medicine 75-80 184th St, Flushing, NY 718-805-1215 Desir MD, MPH mdesirmd@yahoo.com Jacques Anesthesiology retired Dole MD dole.jacques@gmail.com Micheline Pediatrics Retired Dole MD Margaret Family Medicine 387 Linden Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11203 3474250022 Donat MD magnymd@msn.com Ketsia Anesthesiology Retired Dorce MD Ketsia825@gmail.com Alix Retired Dufresne MD Marie Paule Pediatrics 117-06 225th St Cambria Heights NY 11411 7187128511 Dupiton MD Mdupiton@camkids225.com Kristina Hematology/Oncology Emeghebo MD Annie Obstetrics and Gynecology 1571 Broadway HEWLETT NY 11557 5162953003 FilsAime MD afilsdoc@gmail.com Michele Obstetrics and Gynecology 96-10 metropolitan ave forest hills ny 11375 718-459-0400 Germain DO Brebre11788@yahoo.com Kelly Pediatrics 117-06 225th street Cambria Heights NY 11411 7187128511 Gilgeours MD Kmgilgeours@yahoo.com Suzette Cardiology 451 Clarkson ave. Brooklyn, NY 11203 718-245-4082 Graham-Hill MD drgrahamhill@gmail.com Fitzclaud Internal Medicine 444 Elmont Road , Elmont New York ,11003 516 488 3552 Grant MD fgrantvital@gmail.com Alexandra Gastroenterology 3 Technology Drive Ste 300 East Setauket, NY 11733 631-444-5220 Guillaume MD aguill01@gmail.com Carl Gastroenterology 8708 Justice Ave, suite CS, Elmhurst, 11374 718-779-9599 Guillaume MD Medical_associates@verizon.net Carline Nephrology 1305 Utica Ave Brooklyn NY 11203 7186293900 Guirand MD Brian General Surgery 1 Hanson Place Brooklyn, NY 11243 718-257-0200 Hall MD bhall@brooklynsurgicalpllc.com Duroseau Pediatric/Hematology-Oncology Herold MD Hank Surgery, Surgical oncology 11371 Cortez Blvd. Suite 115 Brooksville FL 34613 352-597-0224 Hill MD, FSSO hchill63@gmail.com Francine Obstetrics and Gynecology 1554 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset NY 11030 5163909242 Hippolyte MD Fhippolytenapo@gmail.com Francky MD N/A Jacqué MD franckyjacquemd@gmail.com Raymonde Pulmonary/ Critical Care/Sleep Medicine 1000 10th Ave New York, NY 10019 2125238915 Jean MD raymondeej@gmail.com Courtney Family Medicine 465 Smithtown Blvd, Nesconset NY 11767 631-676-6700 Jones DO, MHA drcourtneyajones@gmail.com Anthony Nephrology 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203 (917) 991-3935 Joseph MD anjjoseph@netscape.net Gardith Hematolgy/Oncology 5202 Ave N, Brooklyn, NY 11234 Joseph Duroseau MD gardithj@aol.com Kethy Anesthesiology 535 E. 70th Street New York, NY 10021 212-606-1206 Jules-Elysee MD Juleselyseek@hss.edu Ngozi Internal Medicine 1610 DeKalb Ave Brooklyn, NY 11237 718-963-7676 Kanu MD Latortue Internal Medicine 117-06 225th St Cambria Heights NY 11411 (718)712-8511 Karl MD Mario Internal Medicine 117-51 220th Street Cambria Heights, NY 11411 718-723-4303 Lavelanet MD Erwin Obstetrics and Gynecology 5202 Ave N Brooklyn NY 11234 718-208-4433 Lerebours MD Bohio65@gmail.com Gary Anatomo-pathology/Dermatopathology 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 08851 203-348-7548 Letts MD Aime Clinical Informatics South Brooklyn Health 6462704503 Lufulwabo MD, MPH aimelufulwabo@yahoo.com Benjamin Pediatric Endocrinology 1991 Marcus Ave Ste m100 New Hyde Park, NY 11042 516-472-3750 Nwosu MD Zeph Urology 450 Lakeville Road New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-734-8500 Okeke MD Patrick Psychiatry # 1 Brookdale Plaza, 12th Fl, Bklyn NY 11212 718-240-6105 Plantin MD pplantin@gmail.com Jean-Bernard Colo-Rectal Surgery 82-68 164th St, Jamaica, NY 11432 718-883-4645 Poulard MD, MBA poulardj@nychhc.org Aderonke Radiology 450 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park Ramos MD Aderonke.ramos@gmail.com Michele Family Medicine 241-08 140th Avenue, Rosedale, NY 11422 718-949-0146 Reed DO Mreed@msfamilyhealthcare.com Prospere Gastro-Enterology 860 Grand Concourse, Ste 1K, 718-585-5060 Remy MD Carmen Obstetrics and Gynecology 800 Community Drive Suite 215 Rodriguez MD Car4car@optonline.net Reginald Pain Management 340 Howells Rd, Suite 2B Bay Shore, NY 11706 631-533-2723 Rousseau MD reginaldrousseaumd@gmail.com James General Surgery 186 Union Turnpike, Suite 3 Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 718-502-8164 Satterfield MD, MS, MBA Ronda Obstetrics and Gynecology Snowden MD Guitelle Psychiatry 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow,NY,11554 516 572 6511 St-Victor MD gstvicto@gmail.com Allen Obstetrics and Gynecology 1554 Northern Blvd, Manhasset, NY 11030 516-390-9242 Toles MD atoles@northwell.edu Sudhi Obstetrics and Gynecology 925 Hempstead Tpke 2nd Floor Franklin Square NY 11010 5163540153 Trye MD Sudhitrye@gmail.com Sonya Gastroenterology 2280 Grand Ave, Suite 303, Baldwin NY 11510 5167714971 Ventour MD ventourmd12@yahoo.com Dimitri Internal Medicine 43 Brewer Rd, Apt 1, Newburgh, NY 12550 (845)746-6195 Vital-Herne MD dmvitalherne@gmail.com Lorraine Obstetrics and Gynecology 219-02 Linden Boulevard, Cambria Heights, NY 11411 718-978-5938 Williams MD Go Go

Cookie Policy A legal disclaimer The explanations and information provided on this page are only general and high-level explanations and information on how to write your own document of a Cookie Policy. You should not rely on this article as legal advice or as recommendations regarding what you should actually do, because we cannot know in advance what are your specific cookie-related practices. We recommend that you seek legal advice to help you understand and to assist you in the creation of your own Cookie Policy. Cookie Policy - the basics Having said that, in certain jurisdictions, you must inform your site visitors, in case your website tracks personal information through the use of cookies or similar technologies. In these jurisdictions, the local regulation often includes an obligation to be clear about what tracking tools (e.g. cookies, flash cookies, web beacons, etc.,) your website deploys, and what types of personal information these technologies gather. These policies often also tell the website visitors what is the website doing with the information that was collected. It's important to note that third-party services placing cookies or utilizing other tracking technologies through Wix´s services, may have their own policies regarding how they collect and store information. As these are external services, such practices are not covered by the Wix Privacy Policy. To learn more about this, check out our article “Cookies and Your Wix Site” .

To be a networking platform for social interaction among minority physicians to enhance personal, educational and professional growth. The Society aims to guide and support its members, as they address the unique challenges faced by minority physicians and patients. To advocate for the underserved and underrepresented communities and educate the public regarding important health care issues affecting the African American community. MISSION & VISION - MCSC’s Mission & Vision To be a networking platformfor social interaction among minority physicianstoenhance personal, educational and professional growth. The Society aims toguide and support its members, as they address the unique challenges faced byminority physicians and patients. To advocate for the underserved and underrepresented communities and educate the public regarding important healthcare issues affecting the African American community. To mitigatehealth inequities that impact the minority communities and be a strong and unifiedpolitical voice to influence policy decisions that affect all aspects of healthservices in the underserved communities, including access and quality. To expand educational opportunities for underrepresented African Americans in the HealthCare Professions and increase minority representation in all aspects of healthcare, through the mentoring of minority, students, medical students, residents,and foreign graduates, looking to enter and navigate the system. To create position statements on issues that impact minority physicians and their patientsandbe subject matter experts for the press on issues dealing with minority health, decision makers and other advocacy groups with congruent agendas.

Comprehensive Construction Services We develop innovative, sustainable solutions to answer our client's most complicated challenges. Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Help people become familiar with the business and its offerings, creating a sense of connection and trust. Focus on what makes the business unique and how users can benefit from choosing it. What We Do 01 Project Design This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. 02 Construction Management This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. 03 Site Evaluation This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. 04 Engineering Consulting This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. 05 Cost Modeling This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service. 06 Construction This is the space to describe the service and explain how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description that includes relevant details, like pricing, duration, location and how to book the service.

As a leading voice in healthcare advocacy, the McCune Smith Cordice Medical Society (MCSC) is dedicated to championing policy positions that promote equity, access, and inclusivity in healthcare. With a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that perpetuate health disparities, MCSC takes a proactive stance on key policy issues to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for all. POLICY POSITIONS - Maternal and Infant Health: MCSC is committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly among minority populations who experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality. MCSC supports policies aimed at expanding access to prenatal care, reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, and addressing racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. Mental Health and Substance Abuse: MCSC advocates for policies that prioritize mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and support services. This includes supporting initiatives to increase access to mental health care providers, expand coverage for mental health services, and destigmatize mental illness within communities of color. Healthcare Disparities Research and Data Collection: MCSC calls for policies that promote research and data collection on healthcare disparities to better understand the root causes of inequities and develop targeted interventions. This includes advocating for increased funding for disparities research, improving data collection methods to capture race and ethnicity data more accurately, and promoting the use of data-driven approaches to address disparities. By advocating for these policy positions, MCSC seeks to create a healthcare system that is equitable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all individuals and communities. Through collaboration with policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders, MCSC works tirelessly to drive policy change that advances health equity and improves the health and well-being of everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. Healthcare Access and Affordability: MCSC advocates for policies that ensure equitable access to affordable healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity. This includes supporting initiatives to expand Medicaid coverage, increase funding for community health centers, and reduce out-of-pocket costs for essential healthcare services Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health: Recognizing the impact of social determinants of health on health outcomes, MCSC calls for policies that address underlying socioeconomic factors such as poverty, education, and housing. By advocating for investments in social services, community development, and economic empowerment, MCSC aims to eliminate disparities in health outcomes and improve the overall well-being of marginalized communities. Workforce Diversity and Inclusion: MCSC advocates for policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the healthcare workforce. This includes supporting initiatives to increase the representation of minority physicians in leadership positions, enhance cultural competency training for healthcare providers, and address implicit bias in medical education and training programs.

ABOUT MCSC “Welcome to the McCune Smith Cordice Medical Society (MCSC), where excellence meets community. Founded on the principles of empowerment, advocacy, and service, MCSC is a beacon of support and opportunity for Black healthcare professionals. Our society provides a dynamic platform for networking, professional development, and collective advocacy, aimed at advancing equitable healthcare access and uplifting minority physicians. At MCSC, we believe in the power of unity and collaboration. Through our diverse range of events, workshops, and initiatives, members have the chance to connect with like-minded peers, access valuable resources, and stay abreast of the latest advancements in medicine. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, career guidance, or opportunities to give back to the community, MCSC is here to support your journey every step of the way. Join us in shaping a brighter future for healthcare, where diversity is celebrated, voices are heard, and every physician has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we’re not just building a society – we’re building a legacy of excellence and inclusivity in medicine. Come be a part of something extraordinary at MCSC.” The McCune Smith – Cordice Medical Society WHAT’S IN A NAME? What is in a name? Everything. A name defines who you are or what your organization represents. A name conjures images or characters that a person or a society would like to emulate or select as role models for what they achieved and what they stood for while they were still alive. Our society, after careful consideration, has chosen for eponyms, two individuals, James Mc Cune Smith and John Walter Vincent Cordice. These two proud physicians, dared to be different, and incarnated honor and excellence in the face of an adverse society. Their memories we would like to perpetuate as inspirations for generations to come James McCune Smith, MD James McCune Smith was born a slave on April 18th, 1813. He was the son of Samuel Smith, who was a white merchant slave owner, and Lavina Smith who was a slave woman from South Carolina. Smith would often say he is the “son of a self-emancipated bondswoman” and was freed at the age of 14 following the passage of the Emancipation Act in New York on July 14, 1827. Despite emancipation, he remained fearful that slave hunters would recapture him and return him into slavery. He graduated with honors from the African Free School located on Mulberry Street in New York City. The school was founded in 1785 as a philanthropic organization by white abolitionists to show that blacks can compete intellectually as well as whites. He worked as a blacksmith while studying Latin and Greek at night in preparation for college. McCune did well in school but was denied admission to Columbia University simply because of his race. He was accepted at the University of Glasgow where he obtained a BA in 1835, a Masters in 1836 and an MD degree, graduating in 1837 at the top of his class. He submitted his thesis to the faculty and earned both honors and praise. After graduating from medical school, he traveled to Paris to gain additional clinical experience alongside some of the renowned professionals in Europe. He returned to New York City in 1839 and established the first black medical practice along with a pharmacy to serve all people. Unlike his white peers and the prevailing norms of the time, McCune chose the path of moral integrity by providing care for all individuals in need, without segregating healthcare based on race. He also established an evening school dedicated to educating individuals of all racial backgrounds. It was not until 1847, ten years after Smith, that James Peck graduated from Rush Medical College and became the first black man to receive an American medical degree and 1864 when Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first black female physician, with a medical degree from New England Female Medical College which subsequently merged with Boston University. Smith’s general and surgical practice was not limited to black patients but to all in need. Medical practice in those days consisted of “bleeding, cupping, leeching” and use of herbs for medicinal purposes. He practiced the accepted standards of his time. Despite his achievements, he was not accepted for membership in the New York medical associations or the American Medical Association. James McCune Smith never hesitated to rise to the defense of black people and their rights as human beings and closely collaborated with Frederick Douglas. He established the National Council for Colored People in 1853. Frederick Douglas called Smith “the single most important influence on his life” . Smith practiced social justice and wrote against the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dred Scott case denying black individuals’ citizenship and their rights to be free. When Thomas Jefferson wrote in “Notes on the State of Virginia” that “blacks, whether originally a distinct race or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind”, Smith proved him wrong. Jefferson would solidify his views on race when , in speaking to the black inventor Benjamin Banneker, he indicated that “ Nobody wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given to our black brethren, talents equal to those of the other colors of men, and that the appearance of a want of them is owing merely to the degraded condition of their existence, both in Africa and America”. James McCune Smith would debunk Jefferson’s ideas on race and mental differences and made his arguments to counter the predominant belief that “free blacks might languish without filial protection from white slave owners”. Smith argued that unfavorable social circumstances were to blame for existing differences in racial achievements and not intellectual capacity. Smith was fluent in French, Spanish, German, Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Italian. Smith was the first black to publish case series and case reports and used statistics in his medical publications to disprove accepted dogma. He was not allowed to present his medical findings to the New York Medical and Surgical Society and as such had another white physician present his findings. His case series was published in the New York Journal of Medicine and consisted of five patients who experienced cessation of menses with the use of opium. He published his findings because they were contrary to what had been written and accepted in the textbooks. He advocated for controlled comparison in medical research. Using statistical methods, Smith proved that the 1840 census was racially biased. He authored more than 100 articles in ethnology, geography, and medicine. In 1854, he was elected to membership in the American Geographical Society in New York and gave an address on how to improve census taking methods. At the time of his election to that society, an article in the newspaper, Provincial Freeman, called him “A colored savant”. James McCune Smith was married in 1842 to Malvina Barnett (1825-1891) and had six children but only four of his children survived. He loved caring for children and considered it a “holy trust” having his own children look up to him for “support, discipline and guidance”. He had confidence in the importance of the family unit and the significance of providing guidance and support to the youth. Smith was appointed physician to the Colored Orphan Asylum on Fifth Avenue and 44th street in New York City. The asylum was founded in 1836 to help black children in need only to be destroyed on July 13, 1863, by a white mob during the Draft Riots in New York City. He overcame adversity well and remained undeterred in what he had to do in life. When the streetcar company denied him access to public transportation because of his race, he decided to walk 6-7 miles to continue his work at the Colored Orphan Asylum. James McCune Smith suffered from congestive heart failure and as such could not practice much after 1863. On November 17, 1865, Dr Smith died at his home in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn where he lived with his family. He was buried at the Cypress Hill Cemetery. James McCune Smith was a pioneering figure who cared for the sick regardless of their racial or religious background. He fought for basic human dignity and his life story demonstrates the detrimental effects of racism on black lives. The ripples of that practice are still being felt today. He was a trailblazer who held the belief that race was not a biological phenomenon but, instead, a social fabrication. While he is primarily recognized among black historians for his abolitionist work, those in the field of medicine have largely overlooked and almost erased his legacy. One can only aspire that this collective forgetfulness regarding race will eventually be corrected, and history will recognize James McCune Smith in the manner he deserves- as the first Black American doctor in the United States, a highly productive author, a passionate abolitionist dedicated to the cause of social justice, and a devout servant of God who played a pivotal role in making the abolition of slavery a reality. The accomplishments of contemporary black physicians can largely be attributed to the persistence and sacrifices first set in motion by James McCune Smith. He not only made significant contributions to the medical field in the presence of insurmountable odds but also tirelessly fought for social justice, a legacy that certainly warrants recognition and commemoration. John Walter Vincent Cordice, Jr, MD John Walter Vincent Cordice, Jr was born in Aurora, North Carolina. His father emigrated from St Vincent and the Grenadines in the West Indies, where he had studied pharmacy. Once in the US, he entered Howard University and obtained his medical degree in 1911. He started a family practice in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1918, the US Public Health Service dispatched him to Aurora to help with the eradication of post war influenza, which was affecting the young soldiers back from the battlefield. This is when he met and married Pearl Mae Hollingsworth. Soon afterwards from the couple, was born John Walter Vincent Jr, who grew up in Durham and eventually moved to New York City to study Medicine at New York University. He graduated in 1943. He immediately started a residency in Surgery at Harlem Hospital, under Lewis Tompkins Wright, MD. Those were difficult years since residents only earned a meager salary. He found support and comfort in the love of his life, Marguerite whom he married while he was still a resident. The residency was interrupted when he did a tour of duty in the US Air Force. He was assigned to the squadron of the Tuskegee Air Men. Upon completing his surgical training, Dr. Cordice travelled to Paris, France, where he completed a sub-specialty in Thoracic and Cardio-Vascular Surgery at Hopital Broussais-La Charite, under the direction of the famed Dr. Charles Dubost. This was quite rare in those days particularly for an African American. Upon his return, he obtained further training at Kings County Hospital of the State University of New York. He was then one of the first African Americans to receive formal training in Cardio-thoracic Surgery. He became board certified in both General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. He was appointed to the staff of Harlem Hospital as Chief of Thoracic Surgery, shortly thereafter. This appointment placed him on a collision course with destiny. Indeed, on September 20, 1958, while Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was attending a book signing in Harlem, he was stabbed with a letter opener and was brought to Harlem Hospital with the blade still planted in his chest. Dr. Cordice was called and performed the thoracotomy, although credit was given to Dr. Aubrey De Lambert Maynard, then Chief of Surgery at Harlem hospital. The tip of the blade was just a few millimeters away from the aorta, but no serious injury resulted and Dr. King, Jr left the hospital 14 days later. Thus, the entire nation owes Dr. Cordice a debt of gratitude for having preserved the life of the young Baptist minister who went on to change the course of history by shepherding the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Cordice always remained close to family and his community, but always felt a need to get involved in the leadership of his profession. Thus, in 1970 we find him chairing a New York Academy of Medicine Conference entitled: Community Participation for Equity and Excellence in Health Care. He gave a well-received presentation on the “Role of the Community in developing Improved Health Care.” He was bringing Health Care Disparity to the forefront, before it became fashionable. Around that time, he became affiliated with Queens Hospital Center and with Julius W. Garvey, MD constituted the Thoracic Surgery Team at that Hospital. That is when he met Dr. Leslie Wise, then Chairman of Surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, who invited him to join his staff with dual appointment in General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. He always remained grateful to Dr. Wise for having supported his entry into the New York Surgical Society, membership that had been denied to him until then for unclear reasons. He maintained his leadership in the medical societies and in 1983-1984, he served as President of the Medical Society of the County of Queens. Dr. Cordice had a lifelong enthusiasm for music, particularly American Jazz. He still found time to remain active academically and at the age of 73, he was still publishing scholarly papers. One of them entitled “the Anatomic Distribution of Colonic Carcinomas in Middle Class Black Americans” appeared in the Journal of the National Medical Association in 1991. He left Long Island Jewish Medical Center in 1993, but his medical career was far from over. He ran the Thoracic clinic at Queens Hospital Center, well into his 80s and occasionally still performed surgeries. Prostate cancer could not stop him as he battled the disease successfully and continued to be active. As late as 2007, nearly 90 years old, he had kept also an employment with the Board of Health of the City and State of New York and was a member of the NY State Education Department and the Office of Professional Responsibility State Board for Medicine. He kept his membership in the Medical Society of the County of Queens, long enough to see me become President of the same society in 1999-2000, as well as another one of his protégés, Dr. James Satterfield in 2008-2009. For all his accomplishments, he was given in 2009 a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Medical Society and the Academy of Medicine of Queens County. He was not done with Medicine yet. Last year, however, he became increasingly aware that his health was failing. His loving wife, Marguerite, shared her concerns with me, because he was having more and more frequent episodes of dizziness. However, Dr. Cordice’s mind had remained sharp, and he was only frustrated that his physical health could not keep up with his will to continue to serve his community and remain relevant in this society of which he had been and was still such a prominent figure. Earlier in April 2013, he participated in an Alumni Celebration at NYU for the Survivors of the Class of 43. The same month, he participated in the House of Delegates of the Medical Society of Queens County and in May 2013, he attended the Annual Assembly of the Medical Society of Queens County. He was still driving his old beloved and faithful VW Beetle. In November 2013, upon learning that his long-time friend and co-worker, Dr. Gerald Deas was going to receive a Lifetime Community Service Award at the Annual Gala of the Medical Society of Queens County, he wrote a personal congratulatory note that was published in the Souvenir-Journal and is a testament to his bright and lucid mind. Unfortunately, as the years continued their ineluctable undermining of this giant and his health failing, Marguerite felt that it was best to move to Iowa to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It is thus surrounded by the loving affection and embrace of his beloved family that his flame flickered and went out, quietly and blissfully. They had sung for him Christmas carols that morning.

Community Engagement: Engage in meaningful community service activities and initiatives that address healthcare disparities and uplift underserved populations. Community Engagement Opportunities for advancement EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS Community Engagement: Engage in meaningful community service activities and initiatives that address healthcare disparities and uplift underserved populations. Make a difference in the medical field and the black community. JOIN NOW