Ellamae Simmons facts for kids

Ellamae Simmons (born March 26, 1918 – died May 10, 2019) was a pioneering American doctor. She was the first Black woman in the United States to become a specialist in immunology. This field of medicine focuses on the body's immune system and how it fights off diseases.

Early Life and Education

Ellamae Simmons grew up in Mount Vernon, Ohio. After finishing Mount Vernon High School, she dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, she faced challenges because of her race.

Starting Her Medical Journey

She was not allowed to live in student housing or be admitted to Ohio State University. Instead, she went to Hampton Institute in Virginia. There, she studied nursing.

Serving Her Country

During World War II, Ellamae Simmons joined the United States Army Nurse Corps. She was one of only eight Black nurses to join at that time. This was an important step in ending segregation in the military.

Achieving Her Dream

After her military service, she was finally accepted into The Ohio State University. She studied pre-med there, preparing for medical school. She also became the first Black woman to live in a dorm on campus at the university. Later, she attended Howard University College of Medicine, earning her medical degree (MD) in 1959.

Medical Career and Achievements

After medical school, Dr. Simmons completed her training. She specialized in allergy, asthma, and immunology. She did her residency and a special fellowship at National Jewish Hospital in Denver.

Working at Kaiser Permanente

In 1964, Dr. Simmons began working at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco hospital. Getting this job was tough, with interviews lasting several days. She became a respected expert in her field.

Sharing Her Story

At 97 years old, in 2017, Dr. Simmons published her autobiography. It was called Overcome: My Life in Pursuit of a Dream. This book tells the story of her journey and how she achieved her goals despite many challenges.