Title
Honoring and celebrating Philadelphia's African American dentists and physicians for their preservation of life, limb, health and happiness as 2016 Philadelphia Living Legends, all as part of the commemoration of Black History Month.
Body
WHEREAS, The world's first individual to be named physician was an Egyptian man of color named Imhotep who was also a medical professor and author of numerous medical books. Imhotep is regarded as the founder of ancient Egyptian medicine; and
WHEREAS, Imhotep is credited as the author of the Edwin Smith Papyrum, a textbook on surgery that details anatomical observations and the examination, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of numerous ailments. Medical information in it dates from as early as 3000 BC; and
WHEREAS, Imhotep is further credited with diagnosing and treating over 200 diseases including tuberculosis, gallstones, appendicitis, gout and arthritis and for extracting medicine from plants. Imhotep knew the position and function of the vital organs and the circulation of the blood and performed surgery as well as practicing some dentistry; and
WHEREAS, The art and practice of healing the human mind, body and spirit since antiquity has been a highly celebrated and most revered profession and occasionally, as in the case of Imhotep, those who are very well regarded for their work are deified for their contributions to health and happiness of the common people; and
WHEREAS, In honor of the history of the first physician who was a man of color it is befitting that Black History Month honor the African Americans who presently carry forth the lauded tradition of health, healing and happiness through medical practice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. David Addley is a cardiovascular disease specialist with more than 20 years of diverse experience and practicing his expertise in Philadelphia. He graduated with honors from Philadelphia College of Osteopathy; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Decarla Albright is an obstetrics/...
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