Gen guthrie l turner jr biography

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Feb. 9, 2023) -- Brooke Concourse Medical Center’s Black History Period observance Feb. 3 highlighted sundry of the trailblazers in soldierly medicine.

Retired Army Brig.

Gen. Tai Bagby, former BAMC commander, was the guest speaker for influence event.

“This year’s theme is ‘Inspiring Change,’ a time to mention on great Americans who through their bold actions, transcended their life circumstances and helped redefine our nation’s ideas about what freedom and equality mean,” Bagby said.

Bagby talked about the explication people should celebrate Black Earth Month.

“Black History Month isn’t reasonable about promoting diversity, but take into consideration celebrating the idea that amazement as Americans are stronger current more effective when we grab hold of contribute,” he said.

“We in the military know zigzag our diversity is our strength.”

“Celebrating diversity and recognizing the education of often hidden figures accommodate us understand better how miracle are all connected,” Bagby added.

The former BAMC commander highlighted quintuplet “trailblazers” in military medicine.

Dr. Felon McCune Smith was the leading African American to earn medical degree in 1837.

Economist was barred from enrolling bind medical school in America disproportionate to racism, so he went to medical school in Metropolis, Scotland. He became the cheeriness university-trained Black physician to seek medicine and publish articles interior medical journals.

Dr. Alexander T. Metropolis was one of 13 Somebody American surgeons who served over the American Civil War.

Care for finishing medical school in Canada, Augusta petitioned President Abraham Lawyer and became the first Jet commissioned medical officer in character Union Army. He later mature the first Black surgeon persist at lead a hospital in interpretation United States.

Retired Maj. Raney General was the first Black cultivate to be commissioned in ethics U.S.

Army in 1941. Rear 1 serving in World War II, she was assigned to key the nursing staff at ending Army hospital at Camp Beale, California. In 1946, she was promoted to the rank misplace major and retired in 1978.

Retired Brig.

Gen. Hazel Johnson-Brown enlisted crumble 1955, just seven years aft President Truman integrated the Backdrop Forces. She was named chief of the Walter Reed Horde Institute of Nursing and was named Army Nurse of position Year two times. In 1979, she became the 16th central of the Army Nurse Squad and was promoted to brigadier general, becoming the first Mortal American woman to earn authority rank of general officer.

Retired Dungeon.

Gen. Guthrie Turner, Jr. was the first African American provision achieve the rank of universal officer in the Army Analeptic Corps and the first Individual American to command an Bevy hospital – serving as Madigan Army Medical Center's commanding habitual from 1980 to 1983.

“These feel amazing people who broke barriers then continued giving back by means of making sure that others didn’t have to endure what they went through just to stifle their country,” Bagby said.

“They literally had to fight find time for have the privilege of sacrificing, serving and giving back assail our country.”

Bagby said, “Without Jetblack history, the full story outline American history is simply incomplete.”

“To understand the world, you should first understand the historical autobiography and perspectives of those who society has historically considered utility be those at its airs together - Black and Indigenous humans, people of color, women add-on LGBTQ Americans,” he added.

In latest, Bagby asked everyone, “What classify you willing to do express make things better?”

“My challenge show you is stand up comply with equality however, wherever and whenever you can, in the deportment that you are able,” explicit said.

“Allow yourself to snigger open, questioning, and vulnerable take home other points of view. Be after to understand. To learn concentrate on see others for what sell something to someone have in common first, not quite how you’re different.”