Alonzo Smythe Yerby facts for kids

Alonzo Yerby (1921–1994) was an important American doctor and teacher. He worked at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. He was also in charge of all the hospitals in New York City.

Dr. Yerby made history. He was the first Black person to lead a department at the Harvard School of Public Health. He was also the first Black person to be New York City's Commissioner of Hospitals. A special program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is named after him. It's called the Harvard Chan Yerby Fellowship Program.

Early Life and Education

Alonzo Yerby was born in Augusta, Georgia on October 15, 1921. He went to the University of Chicago and earned a science degree in 1941. After that, he served in the United States Army during World War II.

He continued his education to become a doctor. Dr. Yerby earned his medical degree (M.D.) from Meharry Medical College in 1946. Then, he got a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health in 1948. His brother, Frank Yerby, was a famous writer.

Alonzo Yerby's Career

During World War II, Dr. Yerby worked with the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. This group helps keep people healthy. In 1949, he worked in Germany, helping with medical affairs.

After his studies, Dr. Yerby held important jobs in New York City. He worked for the city's health department. Later, he became the New York City Commissioner of Hospitals. This meant he was in charge of all the city's hospitals. Mayors Robert F. Wagner and John Lindsay appointed him to this role.

From 1966 to 1982, Dr. Yerby taught at the Harvard School of Public Health. He was a professor of Health Services Administration. He helped create the Medicare program. Medicare is a government program that helps pay for healthcare for older Americans. He worked with Rashi Fein on this important project.

In the early 1980s, he worked for the U.S. government. He was a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs. This job was in the United States Department of Health and Human Services. From 1982 to 1989, he taught medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Honors and Recognition

Dr. Yerby was a member of important groups. These included the Institute of Medicine and the New York Academy of Medicine. He was recognized for being one of the first African Americans to achieve high positions in public health.

Personal Life

Alonzo Yerby married Monteal May in 1943. They had three children together. Dr. Yerby passed away in Jamaica Plain, Boston in 1994. He was 72 years old.