Creating Black History

October 20, 2021 0 Comments

At TFS Healthcare, we are celebrating Black History month with some of Britain’s most influential healthcare professionals. Britain’s history is full of inspiring Black people who contributed greatly to our futures. Without their incredible work and dedication to their profession, their perseverance through bigotry and racism, the oh so Great Britain may have a very different story to tell. We are commemorating some of the Black men and women who have made a significant contribution to the success of Britain’s world-renowned healthcare system.

Professor Laura Serrant

Named one of Britain’s most influential Black people! Professor Serrant, born in Nottingham in 1963, has been making waves in the healthcare industry ever since. She was the first member in her family to attend university, not only a great achievement on its own, but she was also one of the first nurses to qualify with a degree! Graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Nursing from Sheffield Polytechnic. Determined to make a difference in her community, she specialised in sexual and reproductive health. Serrant worked with sex workers and alcohol and drug dependent individuals, whilst tackling issues surrounding social attitudes to HIV and AIDS. To further add to her excellence, Serrant has worked alongside policy development nationally and internationally, with an emphasis on racial inequalities and cultural safety. Professor Laura Serrant was awarded an OBE in the Queens 2018 Birthday Honours list for her services to the health policy.

Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola

Born on January 2^nd, 1916, Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola was said to be a Nigerian Princess. Princess Omo-Oba Adenrele Ademola came to Britain on the 29^thJune 1935 and trained as a nurse before utilising what she had learnt to contribute to the war efforts. Princess Ademola worked in British hospitals during World War II, and throughout her 30-year career she balanced her devotion to nursing with her duties as a royal. She starred in a now lost, 16mm silent newsreel film in a series called The British Empire at War. The film was screened across West Africa and is said to have inspired many African viewers for the imperial war effort. A truly inspiring story.

Dr Franklyn Jacobs

Born in St Vincent, in the Caribbean, where he attended primary and secondary school, then completing his doctorate in medicine attending the university of the West Indies. After leaving university in 1968, Jacobs worked as a doctor in Trinidad. In 1974 he travelled to Britain to obtain further training in anaesthetics, moving into general practice within the NHS in 1977. After his time with the NHS, Dr Jacobs successfully ran his own practice, working predominantly within the Greek community in North London. Always adding to his community, Dr Jacobs became one of three founders of the African Caribbean Medical Society, their main cause helping to raise awareness and campaign for greater understanding of health issues within the black community.

Harold Arundel Moody

Mr Moody, born in Jamaica, moved to Britain in 1904 to study medicine at King’s College, finishing top of his class when he qualified in 1910, aged 28. After finishing top of his class, despite his qualifications and eagerness to work, Mr Moody was refused work due to racial discrimination. He did it though, he prevailed! Due to the discrimination, he faced, Mr Moody opened his own medical practice in 1913 and later campaigned against racial prejudice in the armed forces, establishing the “League of Coloured Peoples” in 1931. Their primary focus aligning with racial equality and civil rights in Britain and elsewhere. Harold Moody’s fight for the right to be equal, later led to him being credited with overturning the Special Restriction Order of 1925.

Annie Brewster

An incredible woman, she began her career as a nurse at the London Hospital from 1881 to 1902 and was one of the first Afro-Caribbean nurses to have been identified as working in Britain during this period. Annie Brewster was born in St. Vincent in the Caribbean in 1858 and due to some family wealth, moved to Britain in the 1860s. In 1881, Annie Brewster began her career at the London Hospital as a trainee nurse. Thanks to her unrivalled intelligence and admirable kindness, Annie Brewster was promoted as nurse in charge of the Ophthalmic Wards in 1888. Annie Brewster was loved by all her colleagues and patients alike; she was kind and compassionate and will always be kept in “affectionate remembrance”.

John Alcindor

Originally from Trinidad, graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in Medicine in 1899. He then worked in London hospitals, building his experience, before he opened his own practice. During the first world war of 1914, Dr Alcindor wanted to support the troops however, due to his ‘colonial origin’, he was rejected from the Royal Army Medical Corps, despite his years of experience and qualifications. Dr Alcindor still proceeded to follow his mission to aid the wounded and signed up as a British Red Cross volunteer. During the many years of conflict, Dr Alcindor helped thousands of wounded soldiers before finally becoming a long-term resident in Paddington. On the 100^th anniversary of WWI, Dr John Alcindor was finally recognised for his dedication and was awarded the Red Cross Medal.

Mary Seacole

Beginning her nursing career in Kingston, Jamaica, at home with her mother. She looked after sick guests and injured soldiers. When she was just 15, Mary, travelled to England to further her knowledge in medicine. Mary returned home to Kingston, travelling across Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas, treating cholera and yellow fever, before travelling back to Britain. From 1853 to 1856, Britain fought in the Crimean War against the Russian Empire. Eager to contribute to the war efforts, she addressed the British War Office to be deployed, her rejection led to her funding her own travel. Mary had showed so much compassion and generosity, soldiers, generals and even members of the Royal family praised her efforts. A fund-raising gala was held over four nights, to help Mary recover her losses from her self-financed path to serve and aid. In 2004, Mary was voted the Greatest Black Briton.

These are just some of the truly inspiring profiles of influential Black people who impacted the healthcare system and helped shape and guide how we care for each other. At TFS Healthcare we care about our nurses and their rich history, every day of the year. If you have any inspiring stories to share, we welcome you to send them to us!