Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons Home > Contemporary Pioneers > Rosalyn P. Scott, M.D., M.S.H.A.

Rosalyn P. Scott, M.D., M.S.H.A. (1950- ) is a leading cardiothoracic surgeon and educator.

Dr. Scott is dedicated to finding ways to encourage and inspire young African American physicians and surgeons, especially women. She encourages them to aspire to levels they never thought possible in spite of gender and racial obstacles they face.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Rosalyn had many medical influences growing up including her father who was a dentist, and an uncle who was a thoracic surgeon. At a young age, Rosalyn recognized the contributions that her father and uncle made helping people, and she dreamed of a time when she could do the same. During her school years she enjoyed science and had aspirations to become a doctor. She was often met with racism and sexism, but this did not diminish her determination to become a physician.

Rosalyn received her undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York and went on study medicine at New York University School of Medicine.

She became the first African American woman to train in thoracic surgery when she was accepted as a resident at Boston University Medical Center in 1977, and completed her general and thoracic surgery residencies in New York at St. Clare's Hospital and Health Center, and New York Medical College.

After completing her residencies, Dr. Scott spent several years in Houston. She was the first Mary A. Fraley Fellow in cardiovascular surgical research at the Texas Heart Institute and remained in Houston as an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Texas Medical School.

In 1983, she was appointed assistant professor of surgery at UCLA and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles where she currently serves as associate professor and vice chair of the department of surgery and chief of the division of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. She has served as associate director of the general surgery residency program, vice-chair for research and academic affairs in the department of surgery, and director of the Drew Surgical Research Group.

In 1994, Dr. Scott received a Master of Science in Health Administration degree from the University of Colorado College of Business. She has served as president of Women in Thoracic Surgery and is a founding member of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons.

Dr. Scott strives to influence policy and practice to ensure that they reflect the needs and issues of both majority and minority populations in medical education and health care through her participation in professional organizations and her administrative role at the university level.

Dr. Scott with Dr. Claude H. Organ, Jr. (above) at a Society of Black Academic Surgeons event. Dr. Scott was invited by Dr. Organ to author the chapter on the female black surgeon for A Century of Black Surgeons: The U.S.A. Experience.

Dr. Scott is currently professor of surgery at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, and Chief of Surgical Services at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Through her pursuits in research, teaching, administration, and clinical practice, she has built a well-rounded academic career dedicated to excellence and committed to passing her knowledge and passion on to younger physicians and surgeons.

• B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, 1970
• M.D., New York University School of Medicine, 1974
• Residency general and thoracic surgery, St. Clare's Hospital and Health Center and New York Medical College, 1974-77
• Residency thoracic surgery, Boston University Medical Center, 1977-79
• Assistant Professor of Surgery – University of Texas Medical School, 1981-83
• Assistant Professor of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, 1983-87
  
  
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science:
     Assistant Professor of surgery, 1983-90
     Associate Professor of surgery, 1990
     Associate Director, General Surgery Residency Program, 1990-97
     Vice-Chair for Research and Academic Affairs, Department of Surgery, 1991-97
     Director, Drew Surgical Research Group, 1993-97
     Interim Program Director, General Surgery Residency Program, 2003-2004
     Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 2003-2007
  
  
• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
     Professor of Surgery and Chief of Surgical Services 2007 - present
  
  
• Arizona State University:
     Associate Research Professor, School of Health Administration and Policy, College of Business, 1994-97
     Adjunct Professor, School of Health Administration and Policy, College of Business, 1998-2001
  
  
• Master of Science in Health Administration, University of Colorado College of Business, 1994