Race, Place, and Community-Based Healthcare in Cleveland, Ohio, c. 1957 to Present

Throughout the 20th century and beyond, Black nurses and physicians in Greater Cleveland have played a vital role in advancing healthcare both locally and globally. They established hospitals, launched community clinics, and championed professional development and leadership within the medical field.

The significance of their work is recorded in the histories of organizations such as the Cleveland Council of Black Nurses, Forest City Hospital, City Hospital/MetroHealth, the Glenville Health Association, Doctor’s Pharmacy, the Glenville Medical Center, and the Medical Associates Building. These entities exemplify a broader movement to improve medical education and healthcare access across the United States.

These stories will unfold in the new exhibit “Race, Place, and Community-Based Healthcare in Cleveland, Ohio c. 1957 – Present”, sponsored by the Cleveland Council of Black Nurses. The exhibit opens to the public Sunday, October 19, 2025 in the African American History Gallery at the WRHS Cleveland History Center and runs through September 27, 2026.