A Perspective on James Marion Sims, MD and Anti-Black Racism in Obstetrics and Gynecology

After public outcry in response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, over 18 organizations signed a collective action statement against racism in the field of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). A portion of the statement acknowledged, “Many examples of foundational advances in the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology are rooted in racism and oppression. For example, the mid-1800s surgical experimentation of James Marion Sims leading to successful treatment of vesicovaginal fistula was performed on enslaved Black women, includ ing three women, Betsey, Lucy, and Anarcha, who underwent repetitive gynecologic procedures without consent.” [1].

Source: The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology - November 5, 2020 Category: OBGYN Authors: Dineo Khabele, Kevin Holcomb, Ngina K. Connors, Linda Bradley Tags: Perspective Source Type: research