National Black Women Physicians Day is February 8th in honor of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, who was the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.
On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, we honored Dr. Jacqueline Turner, a trailblazer in her own right. She is a graduate of MIT, then went on to Tulane for medical school. She completed her residency in OB-GYN at Harlem Hospital in New York, she moved to St. Louis. In December 2021, after more than 30 years in practice, delivering around 5,000 babies then switching to a GYN focused care, Dr. Turner retired from the West End OB-GYN group that she founded.
Through the years, Dr. Turner built long-lasting relationships with patients and connected with each one on a personal level. She served on the board of PlannedParenthood and on the board of the Mound City Medical Forum, the state chapter of then National Medical Association, the leading national organization that represents Black physicians. She is a beacon in the St. Louis community and has received numerous awards. Dr. Turner has also served as a teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend to many of us here at WashU.
Dr. Turner, our department is grateful to you. We admire your accomplishments, dedication, compassion, grit, and grace. This vase and plaque are small tokens of our appreciation.