Guest speaker: Joan Y. Reede, MD, MPH, MS
Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership, Harvard Medical School

This public health lecture series is named in honor of the historic Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis. At a time in American society when people of color were restricted from most medical training programs, the Homer G. Phillips Hospital became the premier training ground for African American medical professionals — many of whom remained to deliver high quality health care in the St. Louis area and who later assumed prestigious positions throughout the nation. Although it closed its doors on August 17, 1979, we can learn much from the hospital’s history, presented by the very people who strived diligently to provide culturally sensitive care to the patients who so deeply trusted and loved them.

Dr. Joan Reede is director of the Minority Faculty Development Program and the faculty director of Community Outreach Programs at Harvard Medical School. The impact of Dr. Reede’s work is reflected in the numerous programs she has created to benefit minority students, residents, scientists and physicians. Over the past dozen years, Dr. Reede has created and developed 16 programs at Harvard that aim to address pipeline and leadership issues for minorities and women who are interested in careers in medicine, academic and scientific research, and the health care professions.