Natalia Tanner facts for kids
Natalia Tanner (born June 28, 1922 – died July 14, 2018) was an amazing American doctor. She made history as the first African-American woman to become a 'fellow' of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This means she was recognized as an expert in child health. Dr. Tanner worked hard to help more women and people of color become doctors. She also fought against unfair differences in healthcare, known as health inequality, in the United States.
Early Life and Education
Natalia Tanner was born in Jackson, Mississippi. Later, her family moved to Chicago, where her father was also a doctor. She went to Englewood High School and finished in 1939.
Dr. Tanner started her college studies at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. After two years, she moved to the University of Chicago for her pre-medical program. She earned her bachelor's degree there.
Next, she attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville. While at Meharry, she joined the first sorority there, Delta Sigma Theta. She graduated from medical school in 1946.
After medical school, Dr. Tanner moved to New York City. She worked as an intern at Harlem Hospital from 1946 to 1947. Then, she returned to the University of Chicago for her residency in pediatrics, which is the study of children's health. She was the first African-American resident in that program. She also trained at Meharry's Hubbard Hospital. She finished her advanced medical training in 1950.
Career and Achievements
After finishing her training, Dr. Tanner moved back to Chicago briefly. In 1951, she married Dr. Waldo Cain and moved to Detroit, Michigan. There, she became the city's first African-American doctor certified to treat children.
Even though she faced discrimination, Dr. Tanner became the first African-American doctor at the Children's Hospital of Michigan. This hospital was still segregated at the time. She worked there for over 50 years, helping many children.
Dr. Tanner also worked to bring different medical groups together. She helped create partnerships between the Society for Adolescent Medicine, the National Committee on Adolescence for the AAP, and the pediatric section of the National Medical Association.
In 1968, Dr. Tanner became a professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She continued to practice medicine while teaching. She became a full professor in 1992. In 1983, she made history again. She became the first woman and first African-American to be president of the Michigan chapter of the AAP.
Throughout her career, Dr. Tanner worked hard to help more people of color and women join the medical field. She also worked with groups like the NAACP to help communities that didn't have enough healthcare.
Later Life and Death
Dr. Natalia Tanner passed away in Southfield, Michigan on July 14, 2018.
Honors and Awards
Dr. Tanner received many awards and honors for her important work:
- Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics (1951)
- Outstanding Achievement Award in Adolescent Medicine, Society for Adolescent Medicine (2001)
- Distinguished Service Award, National Medical Association (2001)
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, Children Hospital of Michigan (2003)
- Distinguished Warrior Award, Detroit Urban League (2003)
- Pediatrician of the Year William Montgomery Award, Michigan chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2008)
