WILLIAM E. ALLEN

First African American radiologist (1903–1981) to earn certification from the American Board of Radiology. He stood out for his initiatives to improve access to training and opportunities for his community.

A student at Howard University, one of the historically Black universities, he graduated in medicine in 1930. A music lover, he played violin in the University Symphony Orchestra. He completed his internship and residency at St. Louis City Hospital, continuing his passion for music as first violin and clarinet in the St. Louis Little Symphony Orchestra.

He completed postgraduate training at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, later becoming head of its radiology department, where he organized the residency program of the School of Radiologic Technicians. The first class graduated in 1948, enrollment grew quickly, and by the 1960s the school had graduated more than 200 Black technicians in radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy. He also taught at Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis and at St. Louis University.

In 1934 he attempted to join the Radiological Society of North America, but his application was denied. Four years later, during his American Board of Radiology exams, he was not allowed to use the hotel elevator and had to reach the exam rooms via the freight lift, despite already being a member of the American College of Radiology.

During World War II, enlisted in the army, he became the first Black officer to reach the rank of lieutenant colonel. He directed the radiology service at Fort Huachuca Military Hospital, training other Black officers in the specialty. He organized the first and only Army School for African American Women to train them as radiology technicians. He also served as radiology consultant to the Department of War.

Allen worked tirelessly to expand access to education and adapt the profession to the Black community. He was the first African American radiology technician to earn academic certification, the first Black radiologist certified by the American Board of Radiology, the first to organize a residency program for minorities, and one of the first African Americans to publish in leading radiology journals.

Founder and first chairman of the radiology section of the National Medical Association, he was the first African American to become a member and fellow of the American College of Radiology, and the first to be awarded its Gold Medal.

Allen devoted his life to breaking barriers, increasing opportunities and access to knowledge for his community. His dedication and achievements were so remarkable that a director of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in St. Louis stated: “It is unlikely that any other radiologist could take his place.”

Howard University established in his honor the William J. Allen, MD Annual Lecture of the Section of Radiology, held every year.

Autor:
Dr. Luis Humberto Ros

WILLIAM E. ALLEN

Primeiro radiologista afro-americano (1903–1981) a obter o diploma do American Board of Radiology. Destacou-se por suas iniciativas para melhorar o acesso à formação e às oportunidades de sua comunidade.

Estudante da Howard University, uma das universidades historicamente negras, formou-se em medicina em 1930. Apaixonado pela música, integrou a University Symphony Orchestra como violinista. Realizou seu internato e residência no St. Louis City Hospital, mantendo sua paixão pela música como primeiro violino e clarinetista na St. Louis Little Symphony Orchestra.

Concluiu sua formação pós-graduada no Homer G. Phillips Hospital em St. Louis, passando a dirigir o departamento de radiologia, onde organizou o programa de residência da Escola de Técnicos em Radiologia. A primeira turma se formou em 1948, o número de alunos cresceu rapidamente e, já nos anos 60, a escola havia formado mais de 200 técnicos negros em radiologia, medicina nuclear e radioterapia. Foi também professor na Washington School of Medicine de St. Louis e na St. Louis University.

Em 1934 tentou ser aceito como membro da Radiological Society of North America, mas sua solicitação foi negada. Quatro anos depois, durante os exames do American Board of Radiology, não lhe permitiram usar o elevador do hotel e teve que acessar as salas de exame pelo monta-cargas, embora já fosse membro do American College of Radiology.

Durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, alistado no exército, foi o primeiro oficial negro a alcançar o posto de tenente-coronel. Dirigiu o serviço de radiologia no Hospital Militar de Fort Huachuca, treinando outros oficiais negros na especialidade. Organizou a primeira e única Escola do Exército para Mulheres Afro-Americanas com o objetivo de formá-las como técnicas em radiologia. Atuou também como consultor de radiologia do Departamento de Guerra.

Allen trabalhou incansavelmente para ampliar o acesso à educação e adaptar a profissão à comunidade negra. Foi o primeiro técnico afro-americano em radiologia a obter certificação acadêmica, o primeiro radiologista negro diplomado pelo American Board of Radiology, o primeiro a organizar um programa de residência em radiologia para minorias e um dos primeiros afro-americanos a publicar nas revistas radiológicas mais prestigiadas.

Fundador e primeiro chairman da seção de radiologia da National Medical Association,

Autor:
Dr. Luis Humberto Ros