Cora LeEthel Christian

Cora LeEthel Christian was the first native woman of the U.S. Virgin Islands to earn a medical degree, and is a medical administrator in the U.S Virgin Islands.Christian earned her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1971, where she was the first African-American female graduate. Quotes I wanted to be an attorney like my dad. He told me I should be a physician, as I liked helping people. I majored in chemistry and minored in speech as an undergraduate so I could consider law. I did not enjoy my time at Jefferson due to the racism that I experienced. Medical school taught me that we must have both wisdom and compassion if we are to improve healthcare. Both must be present as we assist our patients in healing. “It was more about cultural competency and connecting with patients than it was about race,” she says. “I wanted to see others get the educational opportunities I had; and I knew that they would make first-class clinicians. External links