Charles Prudhomme facts for kids
Charles Prudhomme (1908–1988) was an African-American doctor who helped people with their minds. He was a physician and a psychoanalyst, which means he helped people understand their thoughts and feelings. Dr. Prudhomme started working in psychiatry (the study and treatment of mental illness) in the 1930s. He made history in 1970-1971 by becoming the first African-American to be elected vice-president of the American Psychiatric Association, a very important group for mental health doctors.
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Charles Prudhomme: Early Life and Education
Charles Prudhomme was born in Opelousas, Louisiana. When he was three years old, his father became sick with tuberculosis. His family then moved to Denver, Colorado. On their way, they stopped in Kansas City, Missouri. Charles and his mother stayed there while his father continued to Denver.
Charles went to school in Kansas City. He was a good student and graduated from high school as the second-best in his class. He also enjoyed playing baseball.
College Years and Challenges
Charles first went to the University of Kansas. But he could not stay long. Because of segregation laws at the time, he was not allowed to take certain classes or use all the university's buildings.
So, he applied for a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. Howard University is a special school that was created for black students. For the next six years, Charles worked hard while studying at the university. He graduated in 1931. Then, he went on to study at the Howard University College of Medicine. He earned his medical degree (M.D.) in 1935. After that, he completed an internship at Freedman's Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Breaking Barriers in Psychiatry
While studying at Howard, medical students attended lectures at St. Elizabeths Hospital, a hospital for people with mental health issues. Dr. Benjamin Karpman, a doctor who studied the mind, taught psychiatry at Howard.
Facing Segregation in His Career
Dr. Prudhomme wanted to do special training in psychiatry at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. But he was told that old laws from 1855 meant the hospital was still segregated. This meant black doctors could not train there.
In 1937, he got a special training program at the University of Chicago. However, he was disappointed to find out he was assigned to Provident Hospital. This hospital only treated black patients. He tried again to work at St. Elizabeth's in Washington, D.C., but he was still not successful.
A New Path and Advocacy
In 1940, Dr. Prudhomme used his connections with U.S. Senator Harry S. Truman. This helped him go to Tuskegee, Alabama. There, he worked at a Veterans Administration hospital for black soldiers who had served in wars.
He strongly believed that this hospital should not be segregated. In 1948, he pushed for the hospital to become open to all patients, regardless of race. At Tuskegee, he met many black psychiatrists who had been trained by Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller. Dr. Fuller was the first black psychiatrist in America.
Dr. Prudhomme stayed at Tuskegee until 1943. Then, the U.S. Army moved him to Howard University. He became the head of a special army training program there. While at Howard, he also studied at the Washington School of Psychiatry. He trained under Dr. Freida Fromm-Reichmann, a famous German psychiatrist. In 1958, Dr. Prudhomme was accepted into the Washington Psychoanalytic Society. He had to complete extra training to join this group of mind doctors.
His Fight Against Racism
Throughout his career, Dr. Prudhomme faced racism. He wrote about these experiences. He often talked about how a person's background and culture are important when helping them with their mental health.
Later Life and Legacy
Dr. Prudhomme practiced psychoanalysis in Washington, D.C., for many years. He also taught at Howard University. He was a special, lifelong member of the American Psychoanalytic Association.
He was married to Rhetta Wilson, who passed away in 1987. Charles Prudhomme died at his home on March 1, 1988, after having a heart attack.
