Part of the 3rd Grade East She Persisted Series

Introduction

Can you imagine growing up in a place where they had standards like racism and sexism? Can you imagine finishing high school in three years? Can you imagine being someone who is able to change the world at such a young age? Well Patricia Bath went through it all. This is the story of Dr. Patricia E. Bath.

Early Years

In November 1942 Patricia Bath was born. Patricia Bath was born in the relatively poor part of New York City in Harlem. She loved playing with boys, especially her big brother. Everything he did, she would copy, “Anything boys can do, girls can do too!’’ she thought. One day her mother gave her a chemistry set. She never forgot the joy it brought her. She thought about it wherever she went and it got her thinking all day and all night, She said “Could science be a new passion of mine?” As a teenager she wanted to do more science. A friend of the family was a doctor who inspired the teen to become a doctor herself. Doctors back then were mostly male, but did that stop young Patricia Bath? No! She stayed firm and nothing at all could change her mind. Her parents supported her dream and didn’t give up when times were tough and they believed that nothing was off limits. The Bath family was wise and they thought that education was the key to success. The problem with that, was that every nearby high school was for WHITE kids with money! So she went to high school by train and when most kids finished school in four years she finished in three!

Life as an Adult

When Patricia went to college she found that most of her classmates were male. Girls weren’t allowed to sit in the front row, but Patricia Bath thought that was unfair, but that wouldn’t stop her. She would never stop no matter what was at stake. She had better things to worry about, no time to waste, “What type of doctor should I be?’’ she thought. “Should I help people see? Yes that’s what I am going to do. I will help people of all color, the rich, and the poor!” So she studied the eye. Treating hospital patients helped her learn, but one day she discovered more of her black patients were blind, way more than white! Why was this happening? She thought it was in places like Harlem where she grew up. Patricia Bath went west to a school and spread the word. Yes, she was young, but her brains were way more advanced. She had so much skill which made her wise. She taught hundreds and hundreds of students about eyes. She started an eye doctor training program, that she would run for years and why is that so important you ask? Because she would be the first woman to do such an amazing thing! She still had more goals to help people. “I will find better ways to treat blindness,’’ she said. Off to Europe she went where she studied a lot. In places like Paris, she found lasers. Young Patricia Bath was very fascinated by these lasers. “This will cure all blindness!” Because of her work, people with no sight for years could finally see! It was such a delight.

Accomplishments

During her career she achieved a lot of firsts like the first US woman to chair an ophthalmology department (which means eye doctor.) She was the first full-time female ophthalmologist. She also made her own invention called the Laserphaco that can help cure blindness. She received the first medical patent for the Laserphaco probe.

Conclusion

She retired from UCLA in 1993. Unfortunately, Patricia Bath passed away in 2019 on May 30th, caused by cancer at age 77. But her work and persistence will never ever be forgotten.  

“My love of humanity and passion for helping others inspired me to become a physician.”

-Dr. Patricia E. Bath