Mildred Mitchell-Bateman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mildred Mitchell-Bateman
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| Born |
Mildred Mitchell
1922 |
| Died | January 25, 2012 Charleston, West Virginia
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Barber-Scotia College Johnson C. Smith University Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Physician and medical administrator |
| Spouse(s) | William L. Bateman |
Dr. Mildred Mitchell-Bateman (1922 – 2012) was an important American doctor and a leader in healthcare. She made history in 1962 by becoming West Virginia's mental health commissioner. She was the first woman and the first African-American person to have this job.
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Early Life and Education
Mildred Mitchell was born in 1922 in Brunswick, Georgia. Her father was a minister, and her mother was a registered nurse. She went to college at Barber-Scotia College and Johnson C. Smith University.
In 1941, she graduated from Johnson C. Smith University. She then earned her medical degree in 1946. This was from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. On December 25, 1947, she married William L. Bateman. He was a therapist from Parkesburg, Pennsylvania. Dr. Mitchell-Bateman continued to practice medicine throughout her life. She passed away in 2012 at 89 years old.
A Career in Mental Health
Dr. Mitchell-Bateman started her medical career in 1947. She worked at Lakin State Hospital in West Virginia. This hospital cared for Black patients with mental health needs. She began as a staff physician while doing an internship there.
She later left Lakin to open her own practice. She also spent three years studying at the Meringer School of Psychiatry. In 1955, she returned to Lakin State Hospital. She became the Clinical Director. By 1958, she was named the hospital's superintendent.
Leading Mental Healthcare in West Virginia
In 1962, Governor W. W. Barron chose her for a big role. She became the director of the Department of Mental Health in West Virginia. This was a very important government position. Dr. Mitchell-Bateman was the first African-American person and the first woman to hold this job.
She held this position for fifteen years. During this time, she worked to improve mental health services. She especially focused on mental health issues affecting women. After leaving this role in 1977, she joined Marshall University's School of Medicine. She became the chair of the Psychology Department. She taught at Marshall until 1982.
In 1985, she became the Associate Clinical Director at Huntington State Hospital. This hospital is in Huntington, West Virginia. In 1996, she was promoted to Clinical Director. She worked in this role until she retired in 2000. In 1999, Governor Cecil H. Underwood honored her. He renamed the hospital the Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital.
National Impact on Mental Health
Dr. Mitchell-Bateman also worked to improve mental health across the United States. In 1973, she became the vice president of the American Psychiatric Association. She was the first African-American person to hold this position.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter asked her to join his Commission on Mental Health. Her work on this commission helped create the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. This law aimed to improve mental health services nationwide.
People described Dr. Mitchell-Bateman as quiet and humble. She had a calm leadership style. Even so, she greatly impacted mental health care. She helped people in West Virginia and across the country. She overcame challenges related to her race and gender. She became a true leader in the field of psychiatry. After retiring, she lived in Charleston, West Virginia. She passed away there in 2012.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Mitchell-Bateman received many awards for her important work.
- In 1974, she was honored by the National Medical Association.
- In 1995, she received the E.Y. Williams Distinguished Clinical Scholar's Award.
- She received the Wyeth-Ayerst Physician Award in 1996.
- In 2000, she earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychiatric Association.
- In 2004, she received the Governor's Award for Civil Rights Contributions.
She also received honorary degrees from several universities:
- Johnson C. Smith University (1963)
- West Virginia State College (1969)
- Alderson Broaddus College (1970)
- Bethany College (1971)
- West Virginia Wesleyan College (1972)
