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Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons home banner written in yellow and black text. Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons home banner written in yellow and black text. Pioneers written in black text with a light blue background. Above the text is an image of three surgeons standing in an operating room performing surgery with several nurses and attendants observing. Courtesy Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University. Contemporary Pioneers written in white text with a purple background. Above the text is an image of Alexa Canady preparing for surgery. Courtesy Detroit Free Press/Hugh Glannum. New Frontiers written in black text with a blue background. bove the text is an image of a head shot of a women surgeon wearing a mask, cap and protective eyewear. Courtesy Sharon Henry, M.D. and Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems. History written in black text with a yellow background. Above the text is an image of an illustration of a building with a flag flying at the top. Courtesy National Library of Medicine.

Contemporary Pioneers written in white text with a purple background.

We celebrate the achievements and contributions of African American academic surgeons by highlighting four contemporary pioneer African American academic surgeons and educators who exemplify excellence in their fields and believe in continuing the journey of excellence through the education and mentoring of young African Americans pursuing medical careers.

Portrait style image of a women wearing glasses and a red dress. Courtesy Alexa M. Canady
Alexa I. Canady, M.D.,
pediatric neurosurgery

Portrait style image of a man wearing glasses and academic robes with a medal around his neck. Courtesy LeSalle D. Leffall, Jr.
LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., M.D.,
surgical oncology

Image of a man wearing a white medical coat seated behind a desk. Courtesy The Organ Family
Claude H. Organ, Jr., M.D.,
general surgery

Portrait style image of a women wearing a black dress and pearls. Courtesy Rosalyn P. Scott
Rosalyn P. Scott, M.D., M.S.H.A.
cardiothoracic surgery