AMA Takes Steps To Further Distance Itself From Discriminatory Past
A bust of Dr. Nathan Davis, known as the "father of the AMA," was removed from public view at the group's headquarters in Chicago, and his name was removed from an annual award. Davis had actively worked to keep Black physicians out of the organization.
The American Medical Association has removed a public display of its founder and taken his name off of one of its most prestigious annual awards as the organization seeks to reconcile its past discriminatory practices as part of its efforts to address systemic racism as a public health threat. In an opinion editorial posted to its website on Wednesday, American Medical Association CEO Dr. James Madara called the moving of a bust and display of Dr. Nathan Davis from public view at its Chicago headquarters to its archives a necessary step toward reconciling the AMA's past actions of discrimination. Women and Black doctors were barred from joining its ranks until the 1960s. (Ross Johnson, 2/17)
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