Jane Cooke Wright
Personal Information
Born: 1919
Died: 2013
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Black
Education
Smith College BA 1942; NY Medical College MD 1945
Professional Life
Field of Study: Oncology
Institution/Corporation: NY Medical College; ASCO; NYU; Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Center
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree from Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania (1965); Member: NY Cancer Society; American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); Editorial Board of Journal of the National Medical Association; Sigma Xi (1962); American Association for Cancer Research (1954); Board of Trustees smith college (1970-80)
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 1952, Merit Award, Mademoiselle magazine; 1965, Spirit of Achievement Award of the Women's Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine; 1967, Hadassah Myrtle Wreath Award; 1968, Smith Medal, Smith College; 1955, Damon Runyon Award; 1975, American Association for Cancer Research Award; 1981, Otelia Cromwell Award, Smith Coillege
Achievements: pioneering cancer researcher and surgeon noted for her contributions to chemotherapy; 1st female president of NY Cancer Society (1971); 1966-70 served on National Cancer Advisory Board; 1964-65, served on President's Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer, & Stroke; 1st African-American woman to be named associate dean of a nationally recognized medical school (1967)
Pioneering cancer researcher & surgeon known for her contribution to chemotherapy
Credited with developing the technique of using human tissue culture rather than lab mice to test the effects of potential drugs on cancer cells
Pioneered the use of Methotrexate to treat breast & skin cancer
Known as "The Mother of Chemotherapy"
Paternal grandfather was born into slavery but graduated from medical school before dying when her father was 4
In school at Fieldstone School was captain of the swim team & yearbook art editor
Her father founded Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Center; 1949, she joined him working there & ultimately replaced him as Director when he died in 1952
Developed a non-surgical method to deliver potent drugs to tumors located deep within the body such as the liver & spleen
1964, only female among 7 doctors who helped found the American Society for Clinical Oncology
Enjoyed sailing, water coloring, solving puzzles, & reading mysteries