African American Academic Surgeons display comes to WesternU

A traveling exhibit commemorating African American academic surgeons’ contributions to medicine and medical education will be coming to the Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. from Feb. 14 to March 26, 2011.

The exhibit will be housed in the Pumerantz Library’s lobby on the first floor and consists of two large posters for reading and viewing.

“”We thought bringing this particular exhibit to campus during Black History Month in February would be the perfect way to showcase the accomplishments of African American physicians,”” said Pat Vader, director of the University Library.

Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons is an exhibit that delves into the rich history and success of African American medical pioneers such as Dr. Charles R. Drew, Dr. Daniel H. Williams, and Dr. Matilda Evans and also contemporary pioneers such as Dr. Alexa I. Canady, Dr. Claude H. Organ, Jr., Dr. Rosalyn P. Scott, and Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr.

It also describes African Americans who currently hold prestigious academic positions in the United States and how today’s surgeons are paving the way. The exhibit was developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.

The Pumerantz Library is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The library is located at 287 Third Street at the corner of Gibbs and Third Streets in Pomona. For more information, call the library at (909) 469-5323.

The library also will open early on Saturday, March 5 to allow the Pomona Health Career Ladder sixth through eighth grade students to view the exhibit and tour the library.

Vader said she anticipates the library will bring a new exhibit each semester to campus.