Meet Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
By Professor Sterling Haynes
A Black American surgeon who devoted his life to improving health care in the African American Community.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams was born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania in 1856. His career started as a shoemaker's apprentice and barber. After completing an apprenticeship from a physician, he was inspired to practice medicine.
Dr. Williams earned his medical degree in 1883 from Chicago Medical School, currently known as Northwestern University. At the time there was a shortage of practicing black doctors in Chicago.
To promote more medical professionals Dr. Williams founded the Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses. Launched in 1891, It was the nation's first Black-owned hospital located in Chicago. Known for its nursing and internship program. Serving communities with diverse staff.
In the summer of 1893, a wounded young man named James Cornish arrived at the Provident Hospital. He was admitted with a knife wound to his chest from a brawl. As a life-or-death situation he required emergency surgery.
Lacking antibiotics, penicillin and limited medical equipment, Dr. Williams preformed open heart surgery. Using a scalpel he cut a small hole into Cornish's chest. Repairing a severed artery and damaged tissue around the heart. Saving Cornish’s life. Dr. Williams was married and passed away in 1931. Provident Hospital of Cook County continues to operate today.
According to a press release, on June 24, 2026, Cook County Health, awarded more than $1.3M in Scholarships to Students Pursuing Careers in Medicine. Bringing the cumulative total to more than $5 million awarded to over 300 students since the fund’s inception in 2022. A significant portion of this year’s funding supporting returning scholars who are advancing through their multi-year degree programs.
“Hospitals across the nation are grappling with severe, chronic staffing shortages,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO of Cook County Health. “We all see the statistics, and the projected gaps of tens of thousands of nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health specialists, and physicians. But as healthcare leaders and concerned citizens, we cannot simply look at data projections and wait for the problem to resolve itself. We have to build our own pipeline. We have to reverse engineer the solution.”
The Provident Scholarship Fund has two distinct tiers:
$20,000 Scholarships: Awarded to advanced health professional students, including those enrolled in doctorate-level medical and dental tracks, as well as physician assistant, behavioral health, and nurse practitioner programs.
$10,000 Scholarships: Awarded to undergraduate and allied health students pursuing critical roles in nursing, surgical and radiology technology, respiratory therapy, and paramedic programs.
The scholarship fund is named in honor of Cook County Health’s historic Provident Hospital. Founded in 1891 by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, Provident Hospital holds a legendary legacy as the first African American-owned and operated hospital in the United States. Today’s scholarship fund actively advances that foundational mission of equitable healthcare by dismantling financial barriers for the next generation of diverse medical pioneers.
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