In this Book
- The Morehouse Mystique: Becoming a Doctor at the Nation's Newest African American Medical School
- Book
- 2012
- Published by: Johns Hopkins University Press

summary
The Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of only four predominantly Black medical schools in the United States. Among its illustrious alumni are surgeons general of the United States, medical school presidents, and numerous other highly regarded medical professionals. This book tells the engrossing history of this venerable institution.The school was founded just after the civil rights era, when major barriers prevented minorities from receiving adequate health care and Black students were underrepresented in predominantly White medical schools. The Morehouse School of Medicine was conceived to address both problems—it was a minority-serving institution educating doctors who would practice in underserved communities.The school's history involves political maneuvering, skilled leadership, dedication to training African American physicians, and a mission of primary care in disadvantaged communities. Highlighting such influential leaders as former Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, The Morehouse Mystique situates the school in the context of the history of medical education for Blacks and race relations throughout the country. The book features excerpts from personal interviews with prominent African American doctors as well as with former presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, who reveal how local, state, and national politics shaped the development of Black medical schools in the United States.The story of the Morehouse School of Medicine reflects the turbulent time in which it was founded and the lofty goals and accomplishments of a diverse group of African American leaders. Their tireless efforts in creating this eminent Black institution changed the landscape of medical education and the racial and ethnic makeup of physicians and health care professions.
Table of Contents

- Acknowledgments
- pp. xi-xiv
- Introduction
- pp. 1-9
- 2 Birth of a Medical School
- pp. 23-44
- 3 Building His Bike as He Rides It
- pp. 45-70
- 4 Coming into Its Own
- pp. 71-89
- 5 Leadership in Transition
- pp. 90-100
- 6 A Controversy Erupts
- pp. 101-109
- 7 Recovering from Turmoil
- pp. 110-119
- 8 Nurturing Students
- pp. 120-125
- Conclusion
- pp. 126-133
- Appendix: Alumni Carrying Out the Mission
- pp. 135-142
Additional Information
ISBN
9781421406046
Related ISBN(s)
9781421404431
MARC Record
OCLC
794700799
Pages
200
Launched on MUSE
2012-04-16
Language
English
Open Access
No