Eradicating Smallpox in India

On this week’s program, we discuss and celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans in the medical field, with the doctor who helped wipe out smallpox in India. Her name is Dr. Cornelia Davis, and her book is Searching for Sitala Mata: Eradicating Smallpox in India.

Episode Segments:

Dr. Cornelia Davis In 1975, Cornelia Davis, MD sought a way to give back for her life’s opportunities. Her bold choice would benefit millions of lives. The World Health Organization hired Dr. Davis to work in its landmark smallpox eradication program. Connie traveled to India, where she scoured the countryside for the last remnants of the brutal, deadly disease.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Cornelia E. Davis M.D. Dr. Connie Davis is an author, consultant, medical pioneer, wayfarer who has worked in twenty countries over 30 + years in international public health. She was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, then headed up to the Pacific North-West to attend Gonzaga University in Spokane WA. Connie returned to do her medical studies at UC San Francisco School of Medicine. After internship and residency at USC LA County Teaching Hospital, Connie accepted a chance opportunity to work on smallpox eradication in India with the World Health Organization. She went on to work on infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Dr. Connie's Website