Walter P. Lomax Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter P. Lomax Jr.
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| Born | July 31, 1932 |
| Died | October 10, 2013 (aged 79–80) University City, Philadelphia, US
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| Alma mater | Hahnemann University Hospital La Salle University |
| Occupation | Physician, health administrator, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | Beverly Lomax |
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Walter P. Lomax Jr. (born July 31, 1932 – died October 10, 2013) was a very important doctor and businessman from Philadelphia, USA. He was also a kind person who gave a lot to help others.
From the 1960s to the 2000s, Dr. Lomax built many neighborhood health clinics. He also created healthcare services for prisons. Later, he bought WURD, which was the only radio station in Pennsylvania owned and run by Black people.
Contents
Dr. Walter P. Lomax Jr.'s Amazing Life
Starting His Medical Journey
Walter Lomax Jr. went to La Salle University and Hahnemann University Hospital. After finishing his studies, he opened his own doctor's office in his home in South Philadelphia in 1958.
One of his famous patients was Martin Luther King Jr.. Dr. Lomax treated him for a cold in 1968. His small office grew into six clinics with 22 doctors helping many people.
Building a Healthcare Empire
In 1982, Dr. Lomax started Lomax Health Systems. This company helped manage all his clinics. A year later, he created Correctional Healthcare Solutions. This business found healthcare workers to help staff prisons in Philadelphia.
His prison healthcare business grew very fast. By the 1990s, it was helping manage healthcare in 70 prisons across ten different states. Dr. Lomax also started working in real estate. He created Lomax Companies as a main company for all his businesses.
Giving Back and Making a Difference
Dr. Lomax was also a very generous person. He started the Lomax Family Foundation to help others. In 2003, he and his wife bought the radio station WURD. This station was special because it was the only one in Pennsylvania owned and run by Black people at that time.
In 1994, Dr. Lomax bought a large property called Jubilee Farm Plantation. This farm was in King William County, Virginia. It was a very meaningful purchase because his great-grandmother had been enslaved there many years ago. The property was very big, about 800 acres.
In 2004, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) gave Dr. Lomax a special honorary Ph.D. degree. They gave it to him because of all his great work in healthcare. He also served as a trustee for La Salle University and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Remembering Dr. Lomax
In August 2021, a street in Philadelphia was renamed to honor him. The 1800 block of Wharton Street is now called "Walter P. Lomax, Jr., M.D., Way." This is where he first started his medical practice.
Dr. Lomax passed away at the age of 81. He died from a stroke at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
