Black History Month 2026
February is Black History Month, and this year’s theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” celebrating 100 years of the foundation of Black History Month, growing from the work of historian Carter G. Woodson. This month — and always — we recognize the powerful contribution of African-Americans in all sectors, and explore the impact and meaning of Black history on our world today, especially in modern medicine.
From Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman to receive an MD in the United States in 1864, to Dr. Charles Richard Drew, the “father of blood banking” who broke ground on blood preservation techniques, to Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the first African-American to serve as US Surgeon General, we are grateful to the Black Americans who have broken barriers and paved the way for others, all while saving lives and changing healthcare for the better.
As we mark Black History Month at Stony Brook Medicine, Dr. Elders’ words come to mind: “Health is more than an absence of disease; it is about economics, education, environment, empowerment and community. The health and well-being of the people is critically dependent upon the health system that serves them.”
Stony Brook Medicine’s goal is to serve all our communities and move toward eliminating health inequities, improving health outcomes and closing any gaps in healthcare disparities that have been rooted in historical injustices, biases and discrimination. As shown by the many “firsts” we are still seeing today, there is always work to be done on this journey, and it all started with the countless Black Americans who have blazed a trail and driven innovation in healthcare and medicine. From nurses and physicians to researchers and educators, their contributions have advanced progress made toward a more compassionate and equitable healthcare system.
This month, please join me in reflecting on the past, celebrating the present and working toward a future where healthcare is equitable and accessible for all.