Alexa Irene Canady: The First African-American Woman
Neurosurgeon
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota Medical School,
Minneapolis, MN
Introduction:
The
advances of the Civil Rights movement in the mid-20th century made
it possible for many African-Americans to have the opportunity to enter the
distinguished field of neurosurgery, beginning in 1953 with Clarence S. Greene,
Sr. This report details the career
and exploits of the first African-American woman neurosurgeon, Alexa Irene
Canady.
Methods:
A comprehensive
review of pertinent modern and historical records spanning the past century was
performed.
Results:
Born
on November 7, 1950 in Lansing, Michigan, Dr. Canady received her M.D. from the
University of Michigan in 1975, graduating with distinction and being elected
into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Training in neurosurgery under Dr.
Shelley Chou from 1976-1981 at the University of Minnesota, she became the
program's first female graduate.
Following residency, she trained as a pediatric neurosurgery fellow at
the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
In 1984, Dr. Canady became the first African-American woman certified by
the American Board of Neurological Surgery. She subsequently continued a long, distinguished career in
pediatric neurosurgery, first at Henry Ford and later as chief of neurosurgery
at Children's Hospital of Michigan before retiring in 2001. Among her many accolades, she was named
1993 Woman of the Year by the American Woman's Medical Association.
Conclusions:
The
diligence, perseverance and commitment of Alexa Irene Canady M.D. enabled her
to overcome tremendous odds to become the first African-American woman
neurosurgeon, trained at the University of Minnesota. A true pioneer, her achievements have inspired many, opening
the door for subsequent African-American women to enhance the field of
neurosurgery.
Keywords:
Alexa Irene Canady, African-American Woman
Neurosurgeon, University of Minnesota, Shelley Chou, American Board of
Neurological Surgery