Linda Whitfield-Spinner: "Breaking Racial and Social Barriers: The Life of Dr. E. Mae McCarroll."

The MHSNJ’s next monthly Zoom will be on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00pm EST, when MHSNJ President Linda Whitfield-Spinner, D.M.H., L.C.S.W., will present, "Breaking Racial and Social Barriers: The Life of Dr. E. Mae McCarroll."

Here is Dr. Whitfield-Spinner's abstract:

Dr. E. Mae McCarroll (1898-1990) was the first Black physician appointed to the staff of Newark City Hospital in 1946. Prior to the 1940s, Black doctors and patients were generally discriminated against and denied access to white hospitals. Even when Newark City Hospital did admit black patients, Black physicians did not have the right to attend to their own patients.

Dr. McCarroll graduated from the Woman’s Medical College in Philadelphia in 1925. She practiced in Newark for over forty years. In 1932, she was appointed to Newark's Child Hygiene Division, and served as the city's assistant epidemiologist. She later earned a master’s degree in public health in 1939. Dr. McCarroll rose to the post of deputy health officer for the City of Newark and worked to address the high rates of venereal disease in the city.

Come join us and learn more about this extraordinary physician!

Dr. Whitfield-Spinner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in healthcare for most of her professional career. She earned a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Social Work at Rutgers University, and a Doctorate in Medical Humanities from Drew University. Her publications include topics related to medical history in New Jersey and quality improvement in health care. She is currently a Part-Time Lecturer in the School of Social Work at Rutgers University. And most importantly for our Society, Dr. Whitfield-Spinner is concluding her term as President of the Medical History Society of New Jersey, and this is her Presidential Address!