Helen Elizabeth Nash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Elizabeth Nash
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| Born | August 8, 1921 |
| Died | October 4, 2012 (aged 91) |
| Alma mater | Spelman College, Meharry Medical College |
| Spouse(s) | James B. Abernathy |
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Helen Elizabeth Nash (born August 8, 1921 – died October 4, 2012) was a very important doctor who helped many children. She was a pediatrician, which means a doctor for kids. Dr. Nash was known for breaking down unfair barriers based on race and gender in medicine. She worked at hospitals like Homer G. Phillips Hospital and Saint Louis Children’s Hospital. She also had her own clinic and taught at the Washington University School of Medicine. One of her first big achievements was helping to save more babies' lives. She also believed in treating the whole patient, including their family and support system.
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About Helen Nash's Early Life
Helen Nash was born on August 8, 1921. Her parents were Homer Erwin Nash Sr. and Marie Antoinette Graves Nash. Her father, Homer Nash Sr., was also a doctor. He started his own medical practice in 1910 after serving in World War I. Helen was the third of six children. She grew up with her family in Atlanta.
Sadly, Helen's oldest sibling died when her father was away at war. The baby passed away from dehydration caused by a stomach illness. Later, a special solution called Hartmann's solution helped cure this disease. Helen Nash even met Dr. Hartmann later in her life.
Helen's grandfather, Antoine Graves, helped her pay for medical school. He sold real estate to make sure she could get her education. Helen married James B. Abernathy on August 1, 1964.
Helen Nash's Education and Training
Helen Nash earned her first college degree from Spelman College in 1941. She then went on to medical school at Meharry Medical College. She received her medical degree in 1945. Helen did very well in her first semester at Meharry. She was one of only four women in her graduating class.
After medical school, she started an internship at Homer G. Phillips Hospital. At that time, the hospital was segregated. This meant it was the only hospital in St. Louis where African-American doctors could work. Helen also completed her training to become a children's doctor there. She became the chief resident, which is a top leadership role for doctors in training. Her mentor, Dr. Park J. White, helped her achieve this. Together, they worked hard to make the hospital cleaner and improve its equipment. For example, they got more incubators for babies and better handwashing stations. These changes helped to greatly reduce the number of babies who died.
Helen Nash's Amazing Career
In 1949, Dr. Nash opened her own medical clinic in St. Louis. She was known for being very kind and generous. She mostly treated patients who were poor. In that same year, she made history. She became the first African American woman to join the staff at St. Louis Children's Hospital. She later became the president of the hospital staff from 1977 to 1979. Also in 1949, Dr. Nash became the first African American woman to join the staff at the Washington University School of Medicine. There, she worked as a professor teaching other doctors about pediatrics. She retired from teaching in 1993. After that, she served as the school's dean of minority affairs from 1994 to 1996. This role helped support students from diverse backgrounds.
In 1953, Dr. Nash joined several important groups. These included the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Health and Welfare Council of Metropolitan St. Louis. She also joined a committee for the State Welfare Department of Missouri.
Dr. Helen Nash worked in the children's ward before hospitals were desegregated. She made many important changes to improve patient hygiene. She also helped break down racial barriers between hospitals for Black and white patients.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Dr. Nash received many awards during her career. In 1992, she earned an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree from Webster University. In 1996, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Health Care. This award was given by the St.Louis American Foundation. Besides medicine, Dr. Nash loved visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. She even became a member of the Garden's Board of Trustees in 1991.
Dr. Nash was given special lifetime memberships to two medical societies. These were the St. Louis Medical Society in 1975 and the Medical Women's Society in 1991. In 1994, the NAACP magazine Crisis gave Dr. Nash the Women's Medal of Honor.
Helen Nash's Lasting Legacy
Dr. Helen Nash's impact continues today. The Washington University School of Medicine gives out the Dr. Helen E. Nash Academic Achievement Award every year since 1996. This award honors students who show great academic success. Also, in 2014, the St. Louis Children's Hospital started a special internship program. This program is for young women of color and is named in Dr. Nash's honor. It helps inspire the next generation of doctors.
