Roscoe Conkling Giles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roscoe Conkling Giles
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Student photo, 1911
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| Born | 6 May 1890 |
| Died | 9 February 1970 |
| Alma mater | Cornell University Cornell University School of Medicine |
| Employer | Provident Hospital |
| Spouse(s) | Francis Reeder |
Roscoe Conkling Giles (born May 6, 1890 – died February 9, 1970) was an important American doctor and surgeon. He made history as the first African American to graduate from Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Giles worked as a surgeon at Provident Hospital in Chicago. He also led the hospital's General Surgery department. In 1915, he became the first African American to be in charge of a city health department. Later, in 1935, he was chosen as the President of the National Medical Association.
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Early Life and Education
Roscoe Giles was born on May 6, 1890, in Albany, New York. His parents were Reverend Francis F. Giles and Laura Caldwell Giles. He went to Boys High School in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating in 1907, he won a scholarship to attend Cornell University.
College Years at Cornell
At Cornell, Roscoe Giles joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He helped write their rules and their main document. He became the treasurer for the national fraternity. While studying at Cornell University Medical College, he was also elected the first president of the Alpha Alumni Chapter in 1913.
Making History at Medical School
In 1915, Dr. Giles graduated from Cornell University Medical College. He was the first African American to complete this program. It was not easy for him. He reportedly faced threats and was asked to leave because of his race. But he stayed strong and graduated with honors.
Dr. Giles's Medical Career
After medical school, Dr. Giles worked as an intern at Provident Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, from 1915 to 1917. He took an important exam to become a Junior Physician. He scored at the very top of the list! However, he was initially denied the job because he was African American. He eventually got his certification.
Leading in Public Health
In 1917, Mayor William Hale Thompson appointed Dr. Giles as a supervisor in the Health Department. This was a big step forward. From 1917 to 1925, he worked closely with Dr. U.G. Dailey.
A Surgeon at Provident Hospital
Dr. Giles became an Assistant Attending Surgeon at Provident Hospital in 1917. He was promoted to Attending Surgeon in 1925. He held this important role until 1955. After that, he became an Honorary Attending Surgeon until his death in 1970.
Fighting for Equality in Medicine
Dr. Giles was very active in many medical groups. He served as President of the National Medical Association (NMA). He is well-known in the NMA for leading the "Giles Committee." This committee worked hard to convince the American Medical Association (AMA) to stop putting "col." (for "colored") next to the names of African American doctors in their directory. The committee succeeded! It continued to work as a link between the NMA and the AMA.
Military Service
During World War II, Dr. Giles volunteered for the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army. He joined as a Major on June 13, 1942. In 1944, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He became the Chief of Medical Services at a large hospital in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. After the war, he remained a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves until he passed away. In 1946, he also became a special advisor on surgery to the Secretary of War.
Personal Life
Roscoe Giles married Francis Reeder. They had two sons who lived to adulthood: Oscar DePriest Giles and Roscoe Conkling Giles, Jr. Dr. Giles passed away in Chicago in 1970. He is buried in Lincoln Cemetery.
