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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.
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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/gynecology specialist with more than 19 years of diverse experiences and practicing her expertise in Philadelphia. She graduated from The University of Michigan School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nicole Alyse Aqui is a pathology specialist with more than 15 years of diverse experiences and practicing her expertise in Philadelphia. She is a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Allen Chandler is a pediatric specialist with more than 35 years of diverse experiences and practicing his expertise in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Adam Craven is a dentist with more than 30 years of diverse dentistry experience including implant dentistry. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald L. Devaughn is a cardiovascular disease specialist with more than 37 years of diverse experience and practicing his expertise in Philadelphia. He graduated with honors from Hahnemann University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ala A. Frey is a pediatric surgeon specializing in neonatal procedures, minimally invasive pediatric surgery and pediatric colorectal surgery. She is practicing in Philadelphia and she is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Vaughn C. Graves is a dermatology specialist with more than 39 years of diverse experience and practices his expertise in Philadelphia. He graduated with honors from Temple University School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Patricia H. Jones is an obstetrics/gynecology specialist with more than 32 years of diverse experiences and practicing her expertise in Philadelphia. She graduated with honors from Hahnemann University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. David E. Knox is a cardiovascular disease specialist with more than 40 years of diverse experience and practicing his expertise in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Elana O. McDonald is a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory A. Nelson is an internal medicine specialist with more than 38 years of experience and practicing his expertise in Philadelphia. He graduated with honors from Boston University School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald Bruce Parks is a family practice specialist with more than 38 years of diverse experience and practicing his expertise in Philadelphia. He graduated with honors from Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Emily F. Pollard is a plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist with more than 32 years of diverse experiences and practicing her specialty in Philadelphia. She graduated with honors from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wendy S. Powell is an obstetrics/gynecology specialist with more than 31 years of diverse experiences and practicing her expertise in Philadelphia. She graduated from The State University of New York - Upstate Medical University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Safiyya S. Shabazz is a family practice specialist with more than 14 years of diverse experience and practicing her expertise in Philadelphia. She graduated with honors from The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Agnes H. Simmons is a general practice specialist with more than 39 years of diverse experiences and practicing her specialty in Philadelphia. She is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Denise Wynne-Baker is a pediatrac specialist with more than 23 years of diverse experiences and practicing her expertise in Philadelphia. She is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and celebrates Philadelphia’s African American dentists and physicians for their preservation of life, limb, health and happiness as Philadelphia 2016 Living Legends, all as part of the commemoration of Black History Month.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Philadelphia’s Living Legends as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.
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