Yvonnecris Veal facts for kids

Yvonnecris Smith Veal, born in 1936, is an American doctor. She is well-known for being a leader and a strong supporter of African-American women doctors. She was the first woman to lead the Board of Trustees for the National Medical Association. She was also one of the first African-American students to attend the Medical College of Virginia.

Early Life and School

Yvonnecris Smith was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina. She had ten brothers and sisters. Two of her brothers, Graham and Reginald, were Tuskegee Airmen. These were famous African-American pilots who fought in World War II.

She went to Hampton University for her college studies and finished in 1957. After that, she went to the Medical College of Virginia. She was only the fifth African-American student to attend this school. At that time, Black students were not allowed to go to the graduation ceremony with white students. This unfair treatment made Dr. Veal want to fight for equal rights for African-Americans in medicine. She joined the National Medical Association right after she graduated in 1962.

After medical school, she moved to Brooklyn, New York City. She became a resident doctor in pediatrics, which means she trained to be a children's doctor. She worked at the Kings County Hospital Center.

Her Work as a Doctor

Dr. Veal started her career as a private doctor in New York City. She helped many people in her own practice. In the 1970s, she began to take on leadership roles. She worked in different community health centers. These centers help people in neighborhoods get medical care.

In 1984, Dr. Veal started working for the United States Postal Service. She became an occupational physician. This type of doctor helps workers stay healthy and safe on the job. She stayed with the Postal Service for the rest of her career. In 1993, she was promoted to Senior Medical Director. She was still in this role during the 2001 anthrax attacks. During these attacks, dangerous germs were sent through the mail. Dr. Veal was praised for helping to keep postal workers healthy and safe during this difficult time.

Awards and Groups She Joined

Dr. Veal has received many honors and awards for her important work. She has also been a member of several important groups.

• Chair, National Medical Association Board of Trustees (1989)
• President, National Medical Association (1995)
• Mary McLeod Bethune Award, National Council of Negro Women (1996)
• National Medical Directors' Award, U.S. Postal Service (1997, 2002)
• Pinnacle Award, Region One of the National Medical Association (2014)
• Legacy Award, The Susan Smith McKinney Steward Medical Society (2016)
• Member, Delta Sigma Theta
• Member, National Council of Negro Women
• Member, American Medical Association
• Member, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)