Charles DeWitt Watts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr.
Charles DeWitt Watts
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Charles DeWitt Watts
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| Born | September 21, 1917 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | July 12, 2004 (aged 86) Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Resting place | Beechwood Cemetery, Fayetteville Street, Durham |
| Alma mater | Morehouse College Howard University College of Medicine |
| Occupation | Surgeon |
| Years active | 1948–1975 (as a surgeon) |
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Notable work
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Lincoln Community Health Center |
| Spouse(s) | Constance Merrick Watts (1945–2004; his death) |
| Children | 4 |
Charles DeWitt Watts (born September 21, 1917 – died July 12, 2004) was an African-American surgeon and a champion for people in need. He made history as the first African-American surgeon in North Carolina. Dr. Watts earned his medical degree in 1943 from Howard University College of Medicine. He was also the first African-American surgeon in North Carolina to be certified by a medical board.
After finishing his surgical training in 1949, Dr. Watts moved to Durham, North Carolina, in 1950. There, he opened a clinic to help poor people get medical care. He worked hard to break down racial barriers, supporting African-American medical students to get certified. Dr. Watts was a leader in the medical field. He became chief of surgery at Durham's Lincoln Hospital. Later, he was key in turning it into the Lincoln Community Health Center, which offered affordable healthcare to many.
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Early Life and Education
Charles DeWitt Watts was born on September 21, 1917, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the youngest of four children. His parents were active church members who taught their children to work hard. His father owned a country store that sold meat and fruit.
Watts's daughter, Constance Eileen Watts Welch, shared that her father learned about animal anatomy while working in the butcher shop. This early experience helped him later when he studied human anatomy in medical school. His father had six sisters who wanted to go to college, so he couldn't finish his own studies. However, he strongly encouraged his children to achieve "academic excellence without excuse."
Watts was chosen to attend Atlanta University Laboratory High School. This school was for very bright students who planned to go to college. It was located on the campus of Spelman College. After high school, he went to Morehouse College. His father passed away during his first year there. To help pay for their education, Charles and his brother delivered copies of the Atlanta Constitution newspaper every morning.
His biology teacher at Morehouse College, Samuel Nabrit, encouraged Watts to go to medical school. Watts was very good at science, especially biology. He earned a degree in mathematics from Morehouse College in 1938. To support his medical studies, Watts worked at the post office in Washington, D.C. He then attended Howard University College of Medicine.
A Career of Helping Others
Dr. Watts received his medical degree in 1943 from Howard University College of Medicine. He became the first African American in North Carolina to be a board-certified surgeon. After graduating, he moved to Washington, D.C.. He completed his surgical training at Freedman's Hospital in 1949. His mentor there was Charles R. Drew, a famous doctor known for his research on blood and plasma. Dr. Watts often said that Dr. Drew inspired him to become a surgeon.
From 1948 to 1950, Dr. Watts taught surgery at Howard University. In 1950, he and his wife, Constance Merrick Watts, moved to Durham, North Carolina. He opened his own clinic there. It provided general surgery services for poor people and African Americans, who often had limited access to medical care.
By 1965, Dr. Watts was the chief of surgery at Lincoln Hospital. This was one of the few hospitals in the city that served Black patients. It was also one of the rare hospitals in America at that time that allowed African-American doctors to perform surgery. While chief of surgery, Dr. Watts also trained the hospital's new doctors. In the 1970s, he played a big part in creating the Lincoln Community Health Center. This center was important for providing affordable healthcare to the community.
Dr. Watts stopped performing surgery in 1975. His daughter said he was concerned about his hand skills and eyesight.
After retiring from surgery, he became a professor of surgery at Duke University Medical School. He also directed student health at North Carolina Central University. For 28 years, he was a vice president and medical director for the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. This company was founded by his wife's grandfathers.
Throughout his life, Dr. Watts worked to improve medical care for the poor and help Black communities. He fought against racial discrimination by supporting the certification of Black medical students. One of his former students, Charles Johnson, called Watts a "visionary." He added that Watts was a "bright, energetic, capable physician" who always wanted to help the Black community. Dr. Watts also served on Howard University's board of trustees for 19 years, retiring in 1993.
Family Life
Charles Watts married Constance Merrick Watts in 1945. She had a degree in economics and was a dedicated community volunteer. Their first child, Constance Eileen Watts, was born in 1946 at Lincoln Hospital. They later had three more children: two daughters, Deborah Chase Watts Hill and Winifred A. Watts Hemphill, and a son, Charles D. Watts, Jr.
Eileen Watts Welch became an academic administrator. Charles DeWitt Watts, Jr., known as "Chuck," became a law professor, lawyer, and community leader. Deborah Watts Hill passed away from breast cancer in 1992. Winifred also earned a law degree. She now serves as the President of Southview Cemetery in Atlanta, which was started by Dr. Watts's father in 1886.
Later Years and Legacy
After more than 50 years of dedicated work, Dr. Watts passed away at home on July 12, 2004. He was 86 years old and had complications from diabetes and heart disease. His funeral was held at St. Joseph's AME Church in Durham. He was buried at Beechwood Cemetery in Durham.
William Anlyan, a former leader at Duke University Medical Center, spoke about Dr. Watts. He said, "He was a well-trained and gentle surgeon, and he and his family became great assets to the entire Durham community."
Recognition
In 2002, Duke Medical School created a scholarship in his honor. The Charles Watts Travel Awards help students and faculty travel to study cultural health issues. Duke also gave him an honorary degree. His collected papers are kept at the Duke University Libraries.
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