Willarda V. Edwards facts for kids
Willarda V. Edwards is an American doctor and a speaker. She has dedicated her life to helping people and improving healthcare for everyone.
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Dr. Willarda V. Edwards: A Life of Healing
Early Life and Education
Dr. Edwards became interested in medicine when she was a child. A sad event in her teenage years deeply influenced her. Her younger sister, who was only 15 months old, passed away from sickle cell disease. This experience made Dr. Edwards even more determined to become a doctor.
She went to Bel Air High School in El Paso, Texas. After high school, she studied biology at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She earned her bachelor's degree in 1972. Later, in 1977, she earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Helping Others Through Medicine
After becoming a doctor, Dr. Edwards served in the U.S. Navy. She worked at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. In 1984, she opened her own medical practice.
Dr. Edwards has also been a leader in the medical community. In 1995, she made history. She became the first African-American woman to be president of the Baltimore Medical Society.
Working for Better Health for All
Dr. Edwards has worked hard to make healthcare fair for everyone. She was the national health advocacy director for the NAACP. In this role, she worked on a project called "Call to Action on Health." This project focused on making sure all groups of people in the United States get good healthcare.
She also led the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America in 2004. This organization helps people who have sickle cell disease. In 2009, she became the president of the National Medical Association (NMA).
Fighting for Health Equity
Today, Dr. Edwards is a member of the board for the American Medical Association (AMA). She speaks out about important issues. She has said that racism is a serious threat to public health. This means she believes that unfair treatment based on race can harm people's health. She continues to work for a healthier and fairer world.
