Yvette Francis-McBarnette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yvette Francis-McBarnette
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|---|---|
| Born |
Yvette Francis
May 10, 1926 |
| Died | March 28, 2016 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Hunter College Columbia University Yale School of Medicine |
| Occupation | Pediatrician, Haematologist |
| Known for | Pioneer in the treatment of the sickle cell anaemia |
| Spouse(s) | Olvin R. McBarnette |
| Parent(s) | Clarence and Sarah Francis |
Yvette Francis-McBarnette (born May 10, 1926 – died March 28, 2016) was an American doctor who specialized in treating children. She was a true pioneer in helping kids with a serious blood condition called sickle cell anaemia. Her work changed how doctors treated this disease, saving many lives.
Early Life and Education
Yvette Francis-McBarnette was born in Kingston, Jamaica on May 10, 1926. Her parents, Clarence and Sarah Francis, were both schoolteachers. When Yvette was very young, her family moved to New York City.
She was a very bright student. She graduated from Hunter College High School when she was only 14 years old. After that, she went to Hunter College and earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. She continued her studies at Columbia University, where she got a master's degree in chemistry.
In 1946, at just 19 years old, Yvette started medical school at the Yale School of Medicine. She was one of the first Black women to attend this famous school. After medical school, she completed her pediatrics residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. A residency is like an advanced training program for doctors.
Later in 1978, she went back to school again. She completed more training in internal medicine and a special fellowship in hematology. Hematology is the study of blood and blood diseases. This extra training helped her keep treating the patients she had first seen as children in her sickle cell anemia program.
Career Highlights
Dr. Francis-McBarnette's first job as a doctor was at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She later became the director of the sickle cell anemia clinic at Jamaica Hospital Medical Centre in Queens. She also managed the St Albans Family Medical Center.
In 1966, she teamed up with two other doctors, Dr. Doris Wethers and Dr. Lila Fenwick. Together, they started the Foundation for Research and Education in Sickle Cell Disease. This foundation helped them learn more about the disease and teach others about it.
Dr. Francis-McBarnette was one of the first doctors to use antibiotics to treat children with sickle cell anemia. She saw positive results, even though many doctors at the time were not sure it would work. About fifteen years later, a major medical journal called The New England Journal of Medicine published an article that confirmed her methods were very effective.
By 1970, her clinic had checked over 20,000 school children for sickle cell disease. They found many children with the condition and started giving them antibiotics. Some of these children continued to take the medicine throughout their lives, which helped them stay healthier.
Her important work led to her being invited to join a special committee at the White House. This committee focused on finding better ways to manage sickle cell disease. Their efforts led to the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act in 1972. President Richard Nixon signed this act into law. It meant that the government would provide money for checking people for the disease, offering advice, educating people, and doing more research.
Personal Life
Yvette Francis-McBarnette was married to Olvin R. McBarnette. They had six children and three grandchildren. Her son, Bruce McBarnette, is a well-known champion athlete.
