Rosalyn Scott facts for kids

Rosalyn P. Scott (born 1950) is an American thoracic surgeon. She is famous for her important work in medical education. Dr. Scott is also known for being the very first African-American woman to become a thoracic surgeon.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up and Finding Inspiration

Rosalyn Scott was born and grew up in Newark, New Jersey. She was inspired to become a doctor by her father and her uncle. Her father was a dentist, and his office was where Rosalyn first learned about medicine.

On Saturday mornings, she would help out at her father's office. She cleaned dental tools, updated patient charts, and organized documents. When Rosalyn was in third grade, her father had a heart attack. He recovered, and this experience encouraged her to become a heart surgeon. Her uncle was also a thoracic surgeon and even led a hospital in Chicago.

College and Medical School

Dr. Scott went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1970. After that, she attended New York University School of Medicine. She graduated in 1974, even though she faced challenges like sexism and racism in the medical field at that time.

Becoming a Surgeon

After medical school, Dr. Scott stayed in New York City for her internships and residencies. She trained at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center and St. Clare's Hospital and Health Center. From 1977 to 1979, she continued her training as a thoracic surgeon at Boston University Medical Center.

She then returned to New York City for more residencies. She trained again at St. Clare's Hospital and Health Center and at New York Medical College. Here, she focused on cardiac surgery (heart surgery) and general surgery. By doing this, Dr. Scott became the first African-American woman to complete a residency in cardiothoracic surgery.

She continued her training in heart and blood vessel surgery as a fellow at The Texas Heart Institute. In 1980, she was the first person ever to receive the Mary A. Fraley cardiovascular fellowship. Later, in 1994, Dr. Scott earned a Master of Science degree in Health Administration from the University of Colorado College of Business.

Dr. Scott's Career

Dayton VA Medical Center, where Dr. Scott is currently Chief of Surgical Services

Early Teaching Roles

In 1981, after finishing her advanced training, Dr. Scott became an assistant professor of surgery. This was at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. She worked there until 1983. Then, she became an assistant professor of surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. In 1987, she left UCLA but kept teaching at Drew University of Medicine.

Leadership at Drew University

While at Drew University, Dr. Scott held many important roles. From 1990 to 1997, she was the associate director of the general surgery residency program. She was also the vice chair for research and academic affairs in the surgery department from 1991 to 1997. From 1993 to 1997, she directed the Drew Surgical Research Group.

She also taught as an associate research professor and adjunct professor at Arizona State University's School of Health Administration and Policy. From 2003 to 2004, Dr. Scott served as the Interim Director of the general surgery residency program at Drew. While working at Drew Medical Center, she also worked at Brotman Medical Center and Harbour-UCLA Medical Center. There, she researched stress in surgeons and health differences in heart and lung cancer care.

Current Role

In 2007, Dr. Scott moved from Drew University to Wright State University. She is currently a professor there. She is also the Chief of Surgical Services at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Dr. Scott has been a true pioneer for African-American women in surgery. She was the first African-American woman to become a thoracic surgeon. She was also the first African-American woman to join the Society of University Surgeons. To help other surgeons and encourage students, she co-founded two important groups. The Society of Black Academic Surgeons was started in 1986. The Association of Black Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons was founded in 1999.

Research and Innovations

Dr. Scott has done a lot of research over the years. Her studies focus on the chest area of the body. She has researched how cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel problems) and lung cancer affect different people. She also studies occupational stress that surgeons experience. She has been part of many research boards and helped create organizations for heart and chest doctors.

In 2015, Dr. Scott helped open a very advanced simulation facility at the Dayton VA. This center is special because it's the only mobile simulation center in the VA system. It has equipment like mannequins that act like real people. They have vital functions to help doctors practice real hospital situations. The facility also has all the tools needed for emergencies. It even has technology to record the practice sessions so they can be reviewed later.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Rosalyn Scott has received many important honors for her achievements:

• She was the first African-American woman to be trained in thoracic surgery (1977).
• She was the first Mary A. Fraley Fellow at the Texas Heart Institute (1980).
• She was a founding member of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons (1986).
• She was the first African-American woman to become a member of the Society of University Surgeons (1995).
• She was a founding member of the Association of Black Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons (1999).
• She served as a former President of Women in Thoracic Surgery.

See also

In Spanish: Rosalyn Scott para niños