Helen E. Nash Oral History

Interviewee

Helen E. Nash

Interviewer

Marion Hunt, PhD

Files

Summary

Helen E. Nash was interviewed by Marion Hunt on April 20, 1999 for approximately 71 minutes.

Scope and Content

Nash discusses growing up in Atlanta as the child of a successful African American physician father and music teacher mother. She relates some of her experiences attending Meharry Medical College in the early 1940s and coming to St. Louis for her internship and residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital. Nash discusses establishing and running a successful solo pediatric practice and the racism and sexism she faced during her professional career. She also discusses her mentor, Park J. White, and some of their experiences fighting segregation in medical care in St. Louis.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Helen E. Nash broke down racial barriers when she became the first African American doctor to join the staff of St. Louis Children's Hospital in 1949. A native of Atlanta and graduate of Spelman College, Nash graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville in 1945. Her father, who received his medical degree from Meharry in 1910, was initially resistant to his daughter studying medicine. However, once Helen made the honor roll her first semester, he accepted and supported her career choice. Internships and residency opportunities were limited for non-white medical school graduates at that time. Homer G. Philips Hospital, opened in 1937 as a segregated hospital, was the only hospital in St. Louis offering learning opportunities and clinical experience to African-American doctors. Nash began a rotating internship there in 1945, working on twelve services in one year. A three-year residency in pediatrics followed. In 1949, she was the only woman among the first four African-American physicians invited to join the staff of the Washington University School of Medicine. As a pediatrician, Nash became a member of the house staff of St. Louis Children's Hospital. Nash served for over 40 years on the clinical faculty of Washington University School of Medicine and on the attending staff at St. Louis Children's Hospital. At the same time, she maintained a thriving private practice. In addition, she served as pediatric supervisor and associate director of Pediatrics at Homer G. Phillips Hospital from 1950 to 1964. Nash served as president of the St. Louis Children's Hospital attending staff from 1977 to 1979. Nash was long recognized in the St. Louis community for her commitment to excellence, tireless advocacy on behalf of children, and endless enthusiasm for the field of medicine. In 1993 Nash retired as professor emeritus (clinical) of Pediatrics. After her retirement, Nash served as the medical school's dean of Minority Affairs from 1994 to 1996. Since 1996, the Washington University School of Medicine has bestowed the Dr. Helen E. Nash Academic Achievement Award to a student who has exhibited to an unusual degree the qualities of industry, perseverance, determination, and enthusiasm.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Marion Hunt, PhD, the author of “From childsaving to pediatrics: a case study of women’s role in the development of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 1879-1925 (1992)”, was also a frequent contributor of historical articles to a number of Washington University newsletters and publications.

Interview Date

1999-04-20

Collection Identifier

OH073

Length

Approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes.

Restrictions

Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Recommended Citation

Helen E. Nash Oral History, OH073, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Disclaimer

The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.