William A. Hinton (1883–1959): Diagnosing and Confronting Racism in the Medical Profession

Racism impacts every aspect of medicine, including the careers and lives of Black physicians. The story of William Augustus Hinton (1883–1959), who invented the Hinton Test for syphilis before becoming the first African American full professor at Harvard University in 1949, offers an instructive perspective on the intersection of interpersonal and systemic racism, and personal determination, just over our historical horizon. Yet there are sobering and instructive lessons throughout this history. Hinton had to navigate prejudice throughout his career. Indeed, while there is much to be inspired by in the telling of Hinton’s story, the forms of racism faced by Hinton and his contemporaries remain persisting features of academic medicine. This article focuses on encounters with racism that affect the course of medical careers and scientific innovation. Hinton’s story holds important implications for many health professionals in the twenty-first century and provides unique insights into the history and impact of interpersonal and systemic racism alike in academic medicine.