Dr. Patricia Bath
By
John C Abercrombie
- 13
I personally owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Patricia Bath. I have benefited from her work and other family members, friends and acquaintances have as well. Thank you, Dr. Bath!
Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for the treatment of cataracts in 1986. What is a cataract? It is the clouding of the lens in the eye. The symptoms may look like blurred vision, the fading of colors, halos around lights and often difficulty with bright lights. It also causes problems in low light situations. It often develops slowly and because of limited sight, may cause people to fall over things that they do not see clearly. Cataracts cause almost half of all cases of blindness.
Patricia Bath was born November 4, 1942 in Harlem, New York. Her father Rupert Bath was a motorman for the New York City subway system. In fact, he was the first Black motorman. It is interesting to note that Blacks were denied opportunities for such a long period of time. When given the opportunity, these long denied people perform superbly.
Patricia’s Mother Gladys Bath was a housewife and did domestic work to save money for her children’s education. Both parents encouraged the family’s academic interests. Her mother sparked her interest in science when she bought her a chemistry set. Oh, how I remember my chemistry set and the adventures into education that ensued.
Because of proficiency in her intellectual pursuits, she was selected to attend a cancer research workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation at the age of 16. Her discoveries during the workshop were incorporated by Dr. Robert Bernard, head of the program in a scientific paper that was presented at a science conference. This led to Patricia Bath earning Mademoiselle magazine’s Merit Award in 1960.
Her dedication to medicine started when she heard about Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s service to lepers in the Congo. It is hoped that many people are inspired by the story you are reading, and you will work to inspire others with your work as well.
In 1964, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College. Followed by Howard University where she pursued a medical degree, graduating with honors in 1968. She then accepted an internship at Harlem Hospital. The following year, she began a fellowship in ophthalmology at Columbia University.
After learning that African Americans were twice as likely to suffer from blindness and 8 times more likely to develop glaucoma, she developed a community ophthalmology system which increased the amount of eye care to those unable to afford treatment. It is this dedication not only to the science, but the service to people of the community that was a driving force in Dr. Bath’s life and career.
She was the first African American resident in Ophthalmology when she worked to complete her training between 1970 and 1973. She married and had a daughter. While a devoted mother, she completed a fellowship in corneal transplantation and keratoprosthesis. This is the replacement of the human cornea with an artificial one.
Dr. Bath became the first African American to complete the residency in ophthalmology in 1973. Then moved to California to work as assistant profess or surgery at Charles R Drew University and the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA)
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit university which serves the largely minority community in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Founded to respond to the inadequate medical facilities of the community. It was founded in 1966.
Reaching the conclusion that many people were suffering from the lack of ophthalmic care, resulting in blindness she proposed a new discipline Community Ophthalmology. This new discipline combined public health, community medicine and clinical ophthalmology, providing primary care to a greatly underserved segment of the population. This program is a success and has saved the sight of thousands of people who had been without care. Children who needed glasses have been identified and given glasses, resulting in a better chance of success in school.
In 1976, she co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, establishing that “eyesight is a basic human right.” In 1983 she helped create the Ophthalmology Residency Training program at UCLA-Drew. Becoming chair, the first woman in the nation to hold such a position.
Convinced of the need for better procedures, she started working on the Laserphaco Probe, which harnessed laser technology. The device created a less painful treatment that was more precise than earlier treatments.
Dr. Bath experienced instances of sexism and racism in America and took her research to Europe which accepted her work on its merits. She and her work were favorably received at the Laser Medical Center in Berlin, West Germany, the Rothschild Eye Institute of Paris, France and the Loughborough Institute of Technology in England.
She received a patent for the Laserphaco Probe in 1988. This made her the first African American female doctor to receive a patent for a medical purpose. She has been able to restore sight in people who have been blind for more than 30 years. While she is honored for being first in so many areas, it does not compare to the joy and personal satisfaction of helping so many people.
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Schomburg – The man who built a library
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Interview with Dr. Patricia Bath by Robin Roberts Dr Bath herself
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Vision Care
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The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes:
The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath (Amazing Scientists) Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Selection NSTA Best STEM Books for K-12 Selection A Mighty Girl Book of the Year If you like to think big, but some say you’re too small, or they say you’re too young or too slow or too tall… Meet Dr. Bath―the scientist who never lost sight of her dreams! As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she is persevered―brightening the world with a gamechanging treatment for blindness!-
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Dr Bath animated video
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Medical Supplies and Equipment
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Patricia Bath and Laser Surgery (21st Century Junior Library: Women Innovators)
The 21st Century Junior Library Women Innovators series highlights the contributions of women to STEM fields. Patricia Bath and Laser Surgery examines the life of this important woman and her contributions to ophthalmology and laser surgery. Sidebars encourage readers to engage in the material by asking deeper questions or conducting individual research. Full color photos, a glossary, and a listing of additional resources all enhance the learning experience.
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Medical Books
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Dr. Bath is interviewed by Robin Roberts
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Camera and Photo
Our sight is important and so is capturing those images that delight and stimulate us, regulate our moods and enlighten us. A great hobby and source of income. Stress reliving by concentrating on getting the right photo. Or exciting getting that great sports shot. So flexible, use our Amazon affiliate link below
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Patricia’s Vision: The Doctor Who Saved Sight (Volume 7) (People Who Shaped Our World)
The inspiring story of Dr. Patricia Bath, a groundbreaking ophthalmologist who pioneered laser surgery—and gave her patients the gift of sight. Born in the 1940s, Patricia Bath dreamed of being an ophthalmologist at a time when becoming a doctor wasn’t a career option for most women—especially African-American women. This empowering biography follows Dr. Bath in her quest to save and restore sight to the blind, and her decision to “choose miracles” when everyone else had given up hope. Along the way, she cofounded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, invented a specialized laser for removing cataracts, and became the first African-American woman doctor to receive a medical patent.
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Lighting and Ceiling Fans
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Meet a woman who changed the face of medicine
Dr. Patricia Bath, the first African-American female doctor to receive a medical patent, revolutionized cataract surgery.
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Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility
A time-tested parenting book with over 900,000 copies sold!
Now updated to address technology use, screen time, and social media.
Designed for preschool and beyond, this helpful and practical psychology-based parenting method is an invaluable guide for all parents! Teach your children healthy responsibility and encourage their character growth from a young age. Learn to establish healthy boundaries with your children through easy-to-implement steps without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles.
Trusted by generations of parents, counselors, and teachers to lovingly raise responsible children, Parenting with Love and Logic includes solutions for dozens of specific topics such as:
Tantrums
Managing screen time
Grades and report cards
Chores
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And much more!
Each issue is indexed for easy reference. Learn how to tame tempers and re-establish a calm, healthy relationship and positive communication with your child today!
“This is as close to an owner’s manual for parents as you will find. Now, parents can embrace mistakes as wonderful learning opportunities to raise respectful, responsible, and caring children.” ―Gloria Sherman, MA, MED, LPC, cofounder, Parenting Partnership
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“Parenting with Love and Logic is a terrific book for parents that provides important concepts and practical solutions to help children become emotionally, socially, and morally healthy.” ―Terry M. Levy, PhD, codirector of Evergreen Psychotherapy Center; coauthor of Attachment, Trauma, and Healing
“Parenting with Love and Logic is an essential component for our schools, parents, and teachers. Thousands of families have been positively impacted by the love and logic principles.” ―Leonard R. Rezmierski, PhD, superintendent support administrator, Wayne RESA
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Passion and Purpose: Black Female Surgeons
Passion and Purpose is a complete collection of all 75 beautiful stories created to inspire women everywhere to believe in the power of their dreams. These phenomenal women have experienced heartache and challenges along their paths that only served to make them more determined to accomplish their goals. You will laugh, cry, cheer them on, and find courage to reach your dreams whatever obstacles you face. It is a truly inspiring read! Even though their stories are about becoming surgeons, they will inspire every young woman to believe they can accomplish anything they set their hearts and minds to achieve. Dr. Praise Matemavi created this outstanding book to inspire young adults everywhere and intends to use proceeds from this book to fund scholarships for up-and-coming women in the medical field.
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Culture Shifting Pictures & Stories:
Dr. Patricia Era Bath Dr. Patricia E. Bath is a physician, scientist and inventor of the Laserphaco probe for cataract surgery. She has broken ground for women and African Americans in science and medicine and is the President of the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness. Dr. Bath was honored at the 2016 Culture Shifting Awards in NYC where we captured her story.
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Ancestry Test Kits
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The following book is a great addition to the above and can be used to answer and further your search for ancestors that can bring pride to you. We come from strong roots, discover and take pride!
Black Roots: A Beginners Guide To Tracing The African American Family Tree
Trace, document, record, and write your family’s history with this easy-to-read, step-by-step authoritative guide.
Finally, here is the fun, easy-to-use guide that African Americans have been waiting for since Alex Haley published Roots more than twenty-five years ago. Written by the leading African American professional genealogist in the United States who teaches and lectures widely, Black Roots highlights some of the special problems, solutions, and sources unique to African Americans. Based on solid genealogical principles and designed for those who have little or no experience researching their family’s past, but valuable to any genealogist, this book explains everything you need to get started, including: where to search close to home, where to write for records, how to make the best use of libraries and the Internet, and how to organize research, analyze historical documents, and write the family history.
This guide also includes:
-real case histories that illustrate the unique challenges posed to African Americans and how they were solved
-more than 100 illustrations and photographs of actual documents and records you’re likely to encounter when tracing your family tree
-samples of all the worksheets and forms you’ll need to keep your research in order
-a list of the traps even experienced researchers often fall into that hamper their research
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We have learned about a woan trailblazer in the field of medicine. I have personally benefitted from her discoveries and am sure that many who have had their sight improved by her process are thankful. there is no barrier to success than the one you allow to stand. People are resourceful and capable of anything they are able to dream. You make those dreams by having faith in yourself and putting in the work to make it happen. Be inspired!
Amazing story about a remarkable woman. Thank you, Dr. Bath.