Cole, Rebecca J.

1846-1922 · Contribution: 1867-1922

Physician and social reformer

Medicine and early public/community health; provided medical care and health education to poor families and worked with Elizabeth Blackwell's New York Infirmary

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Science & Medicine

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Quick facts

Born
1846, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Active since
1867
Category
Science & Medicine
Best known for
Second African American woman to earn a U.S. medical degree

Impact on the world

Cole pioneered community-based medical social work, bringing preventive care and health education directly to poor families decades before such approaches became standard public health.

An alternative history

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Sources

  1. Source lookup

    U.S. National Library of Medicine (Changing the Face of Medicine)

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