Alabama State University News April 27, 2012 Alumnus Recounts Historic Move to Integrate Montgomery's Hospitals By Tina Joly ASU alumnus Dr. John Winston Jr. ('49) shared memories of his personal experiences integrating a Montgomery hospital during the height of segregation. *** Alabama State University alumnus and prominent physician Dr. John Winston Jr. was one of three African-American doctors who fought for access to hospital operating rooms in Montgomery during the height of segregation in the 1960s. Winston recounted these memories during the annual E.D. Nixon Institute for Research and Cultural Enrichment Symposium: "The Road to Historic Advancements in Medical Access for African Americans in Montgomery." The event, held on Thursday, April 26, was sponsored by the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University. Following his graduation from ASU, Winston received his medical degree from Meharry Medical College. He opened a private practice with his colleague, the late Dr. Julius Pryor, in 1964. During that time, Montgomery's African-American hospitals did not have operating facilities and African-American doctors were denied the privilege to perform surgeries at the city's white hospitals. Winston and Pryor, along with Dr. Jefferson Underwood II (also an ASU alumnus), led the fight to gain access to the hospitals, and on February 3, 1965, the three were admitted to the staff and allowed to perform surgeries at St. Margaret's Hospital. "Once we were admitted, we made every effort to give our professional best and to care for our patients in a superior manner, so that there would be no room for grievances or complaints," Winston said. Charles Varner, special projects and research associate at the National Center, said that even before integrating the city's hospital, Winston and the other doctors made sure African Americans had excellent medical care. "They were wonderful doctors who, in spite of being barred from practicing at local hospitals [except St. Jude Hospital], created a culture of care for our people," Varner said. Winston said their battles opened doors in the '60s that remain open today. "Our fight opened the door so that any doctor, no matter what race, can now practice at any hospital in the city," Winston said. Winston still is a practicing physician. In addition to his private practice, he is the attending physician at ASU's Student Health Center. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.