From pioneering cancer treatments to leading national surgical organizations, these Black surgeons are transforming healthcare, advancing equity, and mentoring the next generation of medical professionals.
Their work spans trauma care, pediatric oncology, endocrine surgery, and surgical innovation, shaping not only operating rooms, but also medical policy, education, and global access to care.
This is Volume 1 of Black Surgeons You Should Know, part of a broader series celebrating the impact and legacy of Black excellence across industries.
1. Dr. Andrea Hayes-Jordan
Dr. Andrea Hayes Dixon is a trailblazing pediatric surgical oncologist and the first Black woman in the U.S. to become board-certified in pediatric surgery.
Now Dean of the Howard University College of Medicine and Chair of Surgery at Howard University Hospital, she has pioneered high-risk procedures for rare abdominal cancers in children and developed a model for studying metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma.
In 2024, she became President of the American Pediatric Surgical Association, helping to lead the field into a more inclusive and innovative future.
2. Dr. L.D. Britt
Dr. L.D. Britt is a renowned academic surgeon, educator, and advocate for health equity.
He serves as Chair of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he became the first African American in the U.S. to be appointed to an endowed chair in surgery at a major medical school.
A former president of the American College of Surgeons and the American Surgical Association, Dr. Britt has authored over 200 scientific publications and is widely recognized for his leadership in trauma care and healthcare disparities.
His work has shaped national surgical policy, education, and access, making him one of the most influential voices in American surgery.
3. Dr. Carla Pugh
Dr. Carla Pugh is a Professor of Surgery at Stanford University and Director of the Technology Enabled Clinical Improvement (T.E.C.I.) Center.
A trailblazer in surgical education, she is the first surgeon in the U.S. to earn a PhD in Education. Dr. Pugh pioneers the use of simulation, sensor technology, and data science to redefine how surgical skills are taught, measured, and assessed.
She holds multiple patents and is widely recognized for transforming surgical training through technology-driven innovation.
4. Dr. Brian Williams
Dr. Brian H. Williams is a trauma surgeon, Air Force veteran, and former congressional health policy advisor.
A nationally recognized advocate for racial equity in medicine, Dr. Williams has become a leading voice on the intersections of gun violence, systemic racism, and healthcare reform.
Dr. Williams gained national attention in 2016 for his powerful remarks following the Dallas police shooting, where he treated both officers and civilians.
He currently serves as a professor of trauma and acute care surgery at the University of Chicago and continues to speak widely on health equity, structural racism, and public policy.
5. Dr. Fiemu Nwariaku
Dr. Fiemu E. Nwariaku is an internationally recognized endocrine and global surgeon, currently serving as Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah.
Dr. Nwariaku specializes in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for endocrine diseases, including those affecting the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas. His research includes work on adrenal cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and surgical outcomes.
He is a past President of the Association of Academic Surgery and continues leading efforts in strengthening health systems and global surgical education.
6. Dr. Patricia Turner
Dr. Patricia L. Turner is Executive Director and CEO of the American College of Surgeons—the first Black woman to lead the organization in its 100+ year history.
A practicing general surgeon and Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago, she is a nationally respected leader in surgical innovation, education, and equity.
Dr. Turner has held influential academic and clinical roles, published extensively, and received numerous awards and research grants for her work in minimally invasive surgery, surgical outcomes, and leadership development.
7. Dr. Audrey C. Durrant
Dr. Audrey C. Durrant is a board‑certified pediatric surgeon at Carle Foundation Hospital in Illinois and a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
With over 20 years of experience, she’s known for her leadership in pediatric trauma, airway disorders, and gastrointestinal surgery.
Dr. Durrant is also an active advocate for equity in medicine, co-moderating the WhiteCoatGreenRoom platform and contributing thought leadership through writing and public speaking. She has been recognized for her excellence and impact in pediatric surgery.
