02/11/2026
Dr. Helen O. Dickens (1909–2001)
Physician. Educator. Advocate.
Dr. Helen O. Dickens was a pioneering obstetrician-gynecologist and the first Black woman admitted to the American College of Surgeons. A nationally recognized expert in cervical cancer prevention, she dedicated her career to improving women’s health, particularly for Black women and underserved communities.
As a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Dickens combined medicine with advocacy, pushing for early cancer screening, health education, and equity in care. Her work helped save countless lives and reshaped how women’s health is approached in the U.S.
Black history is medical history.
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