Barry was a prominent gastroenterologist who served as President of the National Medical Association (USA) between 1965-1966. In addition to his medical career, Barry was active in teaching, writing and community service.
1902
1995
Woodsdale, North Carolina, USA
African American
1924-
Berry earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wilberforce
1925-
Obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Chicago
1929-
Graduated with a medical degree from the Rush Medical College
1933-
Passed his Master’s degree of science in pathology from the University of Illinois
1945-
Honorary Doctor of Science from Wilberforce University
1983-
Honorary law degree from Lincoln University
Berry’s great grandparents had been slaves, before becoming self sufficient farmers. His parents met at Kittrell College in North Carolina, USA. Berry’s father was a pastor, and this led to an emphasis on community work along with the importance of education.
Between 1931 and 1934 Berry was a full time fellow at the University of Chicago in the internal medicine department. During this time, he joined the US army medical reserves to act as a first lieutenant up until 1941. Berry’s career in gastroenterology began in 1933 as a junior attending physician, the first African American specialist in the field. Berry was one of the first twelve Americans to use the flexible gastroscope. This advanced him to the position of Associate Attending Physician in 1938. In 1943 he became Chairman of Digestive Diseases, and in 1946 he was appointed Vice Chairman for the Department of Medicine. In 1974, he became a special deputy with the Cook County Hospital as a Chief of Endoscopy Services and Senior Attending Physician.
Throughout Berry’s life, he conducted many ground breaking studies in the field of gastroenterology. He published 84 articles in local, national and international medical journals, and wrote 12 books. He was also a member of many national and international organisations, becoming one of the first Black doctors to be admitted to an all white American Medical Association and was seen as a diplomat of the American board of Internal Medicine. Berry was dedicated to bringing medical care to African American communities where it had previously been nonexistent. This was pioneered through the Flying Black Medics, an organisation which brought medical services and supplies to African American communities.
https://www.encyclopedia.com/african-american-focus/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/berry-leonidas-h
https://kids.kiddle.co/Leonidas_Berry
https://www.chipublib.org/fa-leonidas-berry-papers/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonidas_Berry
