Black History Month - Leonidas Harris Berry

Leonidas Harris Berry is renowned for his pioneering career in healthcare as the first African American doctor at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago to join the faculty in 1946. He was eventually recognized as a member on the attending staff in 1963, holding his position as senior attending physician for the rest of his professional career.
Throughout his medical career, Berry fought for more acceptance of Black doctors in hospitals and for better access to healthcare services in underserved Chicago communities. As an active member of the local civil rights group United Front, Berry helped establish the Flying Black Medics, a group of physicians who flew from Chicago to Cairo, Illinois to provide healthcare and education services to local residents.
As we commemorate revolutionary Black healthcare workers this month, we celebrate Berry's significant contributions to the healthcare industry and the Black community.