Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This documentary was made possible by: The Rich's Foundation
Donate to WABE: wabe.org/donate | Thank you for your support!
During Atlanta's era of segregation, discrimination touched nearly every part of African American life. Including their experience in hospitals. In this episode of (re) Defining History, our host, Victoria Lemos, dives into the history of Black-owned hospitals in Atlanta and their vital role in providing quality care during a time of exclusion and discrimination. We uncover the remarkable stories behind Atlanta's pioneering African American hospitals—including William A. Harris Memorial Hospital and McClendon Hospital.
Through rare archival materials, historic locations, and an exclusive interview with Dr. James F. Densler—the first African American pediatric surgeon to practice in the United States—we explore a powerful chapter of American history that continues to shape healthcare today.
Featuring:
Host, Victoria Lemos of Archive Atlanta
Dr. La'Niece Littleton
Dr. James F. Densler
Watch another episode of (re)Defining History: youtube.com/watch?v=8ZUacuZr5d8&t=87s
Subscribe on YouTube: / @WABEATL
Sign up for our newsletter: wabe.org/newsletters
Instagram: / @WABEATL
Facebook: / @WABEATL
(re) Defining History is produced at WABE, the NPR and PBS affiliate for the Metro Atlanta Area. We provide our community with the national content it loves as well as award-winning journalism, radio shows, podcasts and television programs.
WABE is 100% independent, 100% nonprofit and 100% committed to amplifying diverse voices in Atlanta. WABE.org
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Hidden History of Black Hospitals
01:59 Why African Americans Needed Their Own Hospitals
03:44 Segregation at Grady Hospital
05:57 The Fight for Hugh Spalding Hospital
07:39 William A. Harris & McClendon Hospitals
12:00 Visiting Atlanta's Historic Black Hospitals
16:40 Meet Dr. James F. Densler
19:54 Becoming a Surgeon
21:24 Challenges as a Black Physician
23:28 A Historic Medical Legacy
25:18 Why This History Still Matters
26:25 Closing
#BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #PBS #Documentary #HealthcareHistory #AtlantaHistory #CivilRights #HistoryDocumentary #AfricanAmericanHistory #MedicalHistory #WABE #RedefiningHistory #William A. Harris Memorial Hospital #McClendon Hospital #Hugh Spalding Hospital #Dr. James F. Densler #Dr. Asa Yancey #Grace Towns Hamilton #Dr. Benjamin E. Mays #La'Neice Littleton #Black History, #Tuskegee, #Atlanta History Center, #PBS History, #Historical Markers in Atlanta, #Jim Crow South, #American history documentary, #Civil Rights, #Archive Atlanta, #Victoria Lemos, #Black Hospitals, #Grady Hospital
This documentary was made possible by: The Rich's Foundation
Donate to WABE: wabe.org/donate | Thank you for your support!
During Atlanta's era of segregation, discrimination touched nearly every part of African American life. Including their experience in hospitals. In this episode of (re) Defining History, our host, Victoria Lemos, dives into the history of Black-owned hospitals in Atlanta and their vital role in providing quality care during a time of exclusion and discrimination. We uncover the remarkable stories behind Atlanta's pioneering African American hospitals—including William A. Harris Memorial Hospital and McClendon Hospital.
Through rare archival materials, historic locations, and an exclusive interview with Dr. James F. Densler—the first African American pediatric surgeon to practice in the United States—we explore a powerful chapter of American history that continues to shape healthcare today.
Featuring:
Host, Victoria Lemos of Archive Atlanta
Dr. La'Niece Littleton
Dr. James F. Densler
Watch another episode of (re)Defining History: youtube.com/watch?v=8ZUacuZr5d8&t=87s
Subscribe on YouTube: / @WABEATL
Sign up for our newsletter: wabe.org/newsletters
Instagram: / @WABEATL
Facebook: / @WABEATL
(re) Defining History is produced at WABE, the NPR and PBS affiliate for the Metro Atlanta Area. We provide our community with the national content it loves as well as award-winning journalism, radio shows, podcasts and television programs.
WABE is 100% independent, 100% nonprofit and 100% committed to amplifying diverse voices in Atlanta. WABE.org
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Hidden History of Black Hospitals
01:59 Why African Americans Needed Their Own Hospitals
03:44 Segregation at Grady Hospital
05:57 The Fight for Hugh Spalding Hospital
07:39 William A. Harris & McClendon Hospitals
12:00 Visiting Atlanta's Historic Black Hospitals
16:40 Meet Dr. James F. Densler
19:54 Becoming a Surgeon
21:24 Challenges as a Black Physician
23:28 A Historic Medical Legacy
25:18 Why This History Still Matters
26:25 Closing
#BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #PBS #Documentary #HealthcareHistory #AtlantaHistory #CivilRights #HistoryDocumentary #AfricanAmericanHistory #MedicalHistory #WABE #RedefiningHistory #William A. Harris Memorial Hospital #McClendon Hospital #Hugh Spalding Hospital #Dr. James F. Densler #Dr. Asa Yancey #Grace Towns Hamilton #Dr. Benjamin E. Mays #La'Neice Littleton #Black History, #Tuskegee, #Atlanta History Center, #PBS History, #Historical Markers in Atlanta, #Jim Crow South, #American history documentary, #Civil Rights, #Archive Atlanta, #Victoria Lemos, #Black Hospitals, #Grady Hospital
