Medical Ethicist Rewrites Record

Historian Harriet Washington '76 discovered her power for reading between the lines in the URochester library archives.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Harriet Washington, a leading historian of medicine and bioethicist, has dedicated her career to reexamining the history of medicine and exposing how it has been carefully curated to exclude the experiences of African Americans, people of color, and the poor. As an undergraduate at the University of Rochester, Washington pored over physician confessional narratives at the Rush Rhees Library, which sparked her interest in uncovering the hidden stories and biases in medical history. Her work has led to the removal of problematic statues, such as the one honoring Dr. J. Marion Sims, and has influenced how we understand the intersection of race, medicine, and ethics.

Why it matters

Washington's work highlights the importance of critically examining the historical record and acknowledging the biases and exclusions that have shaped the medical field. By uncovering these hidden histories, she aims to rebuild trust in the healthcare system and promote more equitable and inclusive practices.

The details

As an undergraduate at the University of Rochester, Washington studied with influential professors who helped her merge her passions for history, literature, and medicine. She discovered that the physician confessional literature at the Rush Rhees Library often displayed disdain for women, people of color, and other cultures. This sparked her interest in exposing the exclusion of marginalized experiences in the history of medicine. Washington went on to become a noted journalist, author, and medical ethicist, publishing groundbreaking works such as 'Medical Apartheid' and 'Carte Blanche: The Erosion of Medical Consent'. Her latest project, a triple biography titled 'Renaissance Men', tells the stories of three pioneering Black physicians who transformed American medicine despite daunting barriers.

  • Washington arrived at the University of Rochester in 1972.
  • She received the University's Frederick Douglass Medal in fall 2025.
  • Her book 'Renaissance Men' is set to be published in 2027.

The players

Harriet Washington

A leading historian of medicine and bioethicist known for her work that insists on accuracy over nostalgia and complexity over comfort. She has dedicated her career to reexamining the history of medicine and exposing biases.

Margaret Perry

A professor at the University of Rochester who introduced Washington to the writers of the Harlem Renaissance and served as an assistant professor of English as well as the acting director of University Libraries.

Russell Peck

A prominent medieval scholar who spent more than five decades at the University of Rochester and encouraged Washington's interest in the value of history in understanding the present.

R. Carey Macintosh

An author who was very supportive of Washington at a critical juncture, drawing out both content and confidence.

Sarah Mangelsdorf

The president of the University of Rochester, who noted that Washington's work has profoundly influenced how we understand the intersection of race, medicine, and ethics.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was seeing that the history of medicine had been carefully curated to exclude the experience of African Americans, people of color, and poor people. That lit my fire.”

— Harriet Washington (Mirage News)

“There's a difference between nostalgia and history. Smallpox vaccination, defibrillator technology, and even the surgery for the congenital heart disorder known as Tetralogy of Fallot (or "blue baby syndrome") owe a debt to Black ingenuity.”

— Harriet Washington (Mirage News)

“How to restore or inculcate patient trust is the most frequently asked question I get. I always say, that's the wrong question. We've given many people 400 years' worth of reasons not to trust our healthcare system. The question then becomes: 'How do we build a more trustworthy healthcare system?' Having a more complete, inclusive, accurate history of medicine could help significantly.”

— Harriet Washington (Mirage News)

What’s next

Washington's latest biography, 'Renaissance Men', is set to be published in 2027, further expanding our understanding of the overlooked contributions of Black physicians in American medical history.

The takeaway

Harriet Washington's work highlights the importance of critically examining the historical record and acknowledging the biases and exclusions that have shaped the medical field. By uncovering these hidden histories, she aims to rebuild trust in the healthcare system and promote more equitable and inclusive practices, ultimately leading to a more trustworthy and just medical system.