African American Healthcare
Into the early decades of the 20th century, many local healthcare providers did not serve African American residents, or did not provide the same level of care as white residents.
The first African American doctor to practice in Champaign-Urbana, Dr. Henry E. Rowan, arrived in the community in 1914. His office was located on the second floor of 112 1/2 N. Walnut Street in Champaign. Born in Missouri in 1879, he practiced in Missouri and Danville, IL, prior to coming here. Active in the community, he became the first president of the Twin City Branch of the NAACP in 1915. He retired in 1929 and died in 1931.
Dr. Henry (Harry) D. Ellis was the second African American doctor in Champaign-Urbana. A graduate of the University of Illinois, he served with the all Black 370th Infantry in World War I. Returning from the war, he attended the University of Illinois School of Medicine, and interned at Provident Hospital, both in Chicago. He began his practice in Champaign in 1924, practicing for 22 years. He died in 1946.
By 1925, Burnham City and Mercy Hospitals accepted African Americans on a segregated basis. Doctors Rowan and Ellis were not allowed to practice in the local hospitals. White doctors had to stand in for them, if one of their patients had to be admitted.
In 1935 Black female health workers were trained and certified by the Red Cross through their Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick program. The training was sponsored by the local African American Elks Lodge auxiliary, Victory Temple #530.
In 1938, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District was established. One of its first actions was to create a free Well Baby Clinic at Mercy Hospital (now OSF the Heart of Mary Medical Center) to serve the North End of Champaign-Urbana.
In 1952, Vivian Grundy became the first African American allowed in a local nursing program, graduating from Mercy Hospital’s Nursing School in 1955. That year, Lucille Clark became the first African American nurse employed at Carle Foundation Hospital. She served there for 45 years.
In 1968, a coalition of young Black men under the acronym of S.O.U.L. with other community members established the North End Health Center as a free and equal access clinic. They were prompted by a study indicating healthcare disparities including high infant mortality in the Black community. In 1969 the clinic moved to the former Frances Nelson Home for Children at 1306 N. Carver Drive. Renamed the Frances Nelson Health Center, it honored the legacy of Frances Nelson, who provided care and housing to homeless African American children in the 1940s. In 2006, the clinic moved to 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign, its current location. Frances Nelson Dental Center opened in 2011. In 2012, ownership of both clinics changed to Promise Healthcare, continuing its initial mission.
Partial List of Resources
Bridgewater, E. and Hoskins, D. Frances Nelson Health Center Then and Now. Through the Years (Fall/Winter, 1999) Champaign County Forest Preserve District.
Friedman, F. The Francis Nelson Health Center: A Personal Account. Through the Years (Fall/Winter, 1999). Champaign County Forest Preserve District.
Hoskins, D and Matthew, Sr. Esther. Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Through the Years (Fall/Winter, 1999). Champaign County Forest Preserve District.
Early Occupations. Through the Years (Spring/Summer 2000). Champaign County Forest Preserve District.
“Your Legacy, Too,” On-line Exhibit, Museum of the Grand Prairie.
Mercy Hospital File, Doris K. Wiley Hoskins Collection, Museum of the Grand Prairie
Additional Trail Sites
