Rosalyn Scott facts for kids

Rosalyn P. Scott (born 1950) is an American doctor who specializes in thoracic surgery. This means she performs operations on organs inside the chest, like the heart and lungs. Dr. Scott is famous for her work in medical education and for being the first African-American woman to become a thoracic surgeon.

Early Life and Medical Training

Rosalyn Scott grew up in Newark, New Jersey. Her father was a dentist, and her uncle was a thoracic surgeon. Both inspired her to become a doctor. She often helped her father in his dental office, which gave her an early look into the medical world.

When Dr. Scott was in third grade, her father had a heart attack. He survived, and this experience encouraged her to become a heart surgeon. Her uncle, who was also a thoracic surgeon, was the president of a hospital in Chicago.

College and Medical School

Dr. Scott went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. She earned a degree in chemistry in 1970. She then attended New York University School of Medicine, graduating in 1974. Even though she faced challenges like sexism and racism in medicine at that time, she succeeded.

Becoming a Surgeon

After medical school, Dr. Scott stayed in New York City for her internships and residencies. A residency is a period of training for doctors in a specific medical field. She trained at St. Vincent's Hospital and St. Clare's Hospital.

From 1977 to 1979, she continued her training in thoracic surgery at Boston University Medical Center. She then returned to New York City for more specialized training. She focused on cardiac surgery (heart surgery) and general surgery. By doing this, she became the first African-American woman to complete a residency in cardiothoracic surgery.

Dr. Scott continued her training at the Texas Heart Institute. In 1980, she was the first person to receive the Mary A. Fraley cardiovascular fellowship. Later, in 1994, she earned a Master of Science degree in Health Administration.

Dr. Scott's Career and Contributions

Dayton VA Medical Center, where Dr. Scott has worked as Chief of Surgical Services.

In 1981, Dr. Scott became an assistant professor of surgery. She taught at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. In 1983, she moved to UCLA and the Charles R. Drew School of Medicine and Science to teach.

Leadership and Research

While at Drew University, Dr. Scott held many important roles. She was the associate director of the general surgery residency program. She also led research in the surgery department. Her research focused on stress for surgeons and differences in health care for heart disease and lung cancer.

Dr. Scott also taught at Arizona State University. In 2007, she joined Wright State University as a professor. She also became the Chief of Surgical Services at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Breaking Barriers in Surgery

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, started in 1986.
• The Association of Black Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons, started in 1999.

Research and Innovation

Dr. Scott has done a lot of research on the chest area of the body. Her studies include how different people receive care for cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel problems) and lung cancer. She also researched the occupational stress that surgeons face.

In 2015, Dr. Scott helped open a special simulation facility at the Dayton VA. This center is unique because it can move to different locations. It has advanced equipment, including mannequins that act like real people. This allows doctors to practice emergency situations safely. The center also records these practice sessions so doctors can review and learn from them.

Awards and Achievements

Dr. Rosalyn Scott has received many honors for her groundbreaking work:

• 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