Ernest Mae McCarroll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doctor
Ernest Mae McCarroll
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| Born | 29 November 1898 |
| Died | 1990 |
| Alma mater | Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Years active | 1929-1973 |
| Employer | Newark City Hospital |
| Organization | Newark, New Jersey Board of Health |
| Title | First Lady of the National Medical Association |
Dr. Ernest Mae McCarroll (born November 29, 1898 – died 1990) was an important doctor in New Jersey. She was one of the very first African American women to become a doctor in the United States.
She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. But her journey to become a doctor took her to many different cities and states. In 1929, she started her medical practice in New Jersey. There, she made history by becoming the first African American doctor to join the medical team at Newark City Hospital.
Dr. McCarroll was part of many groups. These included medical organizations and others like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She was also a member of the League of Women Voters and the National Medical Association. At the National Medical Association, she was honored with the title "first lady."
Early Life and Education
Ernest Mae McCarroll was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Her parents were Mary and Ernest McCarroll. Her father worked as a mail carrier. She was the fourth of their six children.
She went to public school in Birmingham. After that, she attended Talladega College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1917. She then studied chemistry and physics at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Later, she moved to Philadelphia. In 1925, she earned her Medical doctorate degree. This was from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Medical Career
After finishing her training in Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. McCarroll started her medical practice. She began as a general doctor in Philadelphia in 1927. In 1929, she married a dentist named LeRoy Baxter. She then moved her practice to Newark, New Jersey.
In 1934, Dr. McCarroll became a clinic doctor for the Newark Department of Health. She later became the assistant epidemiologist for the city. An epidemiologist studies how diseases spread.
She continued her education in 1939. She earned a Master of Science degree in Public Health. This was from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She also did more advanced studies at the Harvard School of Public Health.
In 1946, Newark City Hospital appointed her to their medical staff. This made her the first African American doctor to join their team. At that time, there was a shortage of doctors because of World War II. This created more opportunities for women and African American doctors.
Seven years later, in 1953, she was also named the city's Deputy Health Officer. The Newark Beth Israel Hospital also allowed her to practice there. This was even though Jim Crow laws still created "separate but equal" practices.
Helping Her Community
Dr. McCarroll joined the National Medical Association in 1929. She held many important roles there for years. She was on the Board of Trustees for their academic journal. She also led the committee for the "General Practitioner of the Year Award." She was named "First Lady of the NMA" for all her hard work.
She also worked at the state and local levels. She was president of the New Jersey Medical Society. She also led the New Jersey State Medical Association. She was a member of many other medical groups too. She served as president of the North Jersey Medical Association. This was at a time when some medical groups still did not allow African Americans to join.
Dr. McCarroll was also active in non-medical groups. She was a board member of the Newark branch of the NAACP. She helped organize the Neighborhood Guild. She was also a member of the National Alliance of Postal Employees. She was part of the Bethany Baptist Church and the League of Women Voters. She also belonged to the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Awards and Recognition
In 1955, the North Jersey Medical Society gave her an award. She was named their first "General Practitioner of the Year."
In July 1963, Dr. McCarroll made history again. Her picture appeared on the cover of the NMA Journal. This journal usually only showed doctors who had retired or passed away. But they put her picture on the cover to honor her important work.
On August 14, 1973, she received another honor. The National Medical Association gave her a plaque. It recognized her "dedicated involvement" with the organization.
The city of Newark also honored her. They named the Department of Health building after her: the Haskins/McCarroll Building.
