Dr. Haynes remembered for his achievements during African American History month.
February 28, 2023
Dr. Haynes remembered for his achievements during African American History month.
MOBILE, Ala. — In honor of African American History month, the Health Equity Office is highlighting African Americans who made a significant contribution in the lives of Mobile residents. Attached is a brief biography of Dr. Johnson Haynes, who is remembered for his 42 years of dedicated service to his patients and the community.
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Black History Month is observed every February to celebrate the many contributions of African Americans considering historical and ongoing adversity. This adversity includes systemic, institutional, and structural racism that contributes to the health inequities faced by Black communities. In celebration of Black History Month, the Health Equity Office would like to highlight the accomplishments of African American leaders in our own community who have mitigated health inequities.
This article will highlight the work of Dr. Johnson Haynes, who recently passed away on Dec. 2, 2022. He will be remembered for his 42 years of dedicated service to his patients and the community.
Dr. Haynes graduated from Whiddon College of Medicine in 1980, followed by an internal medicine residency and pulmonary residence fellowship with the University of South Alabama. In 1984, Dr. Haynes joined the faculty at USA as the first African American clinical and basic sciences faculty member.
Dr. Haynes will be best remembered for his expertise in researching and treating adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD highlights the inequalities that African Americans face in the health care system. Since SCD confers resistance to malaria, it affects those of Black or African descent. Racial bias in our health care system has left people with this disease behind. Health care providers are not properly trained on treating SCD or might dismiss sickle cell patients as drug seeking due to stigma and misunderstanding of the disease. Dr. Haynes was a champion for sickle cell patients and was committed to education and treatment of patients with SCD. In recognition of this, the USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center was renamed as the Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D., Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center in 2022.
Dr. Haynes, as an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion that tirelessly served his community, championed greater representation in healthcare and helped pave the way for African American physicians that followed him. Examples of such included establishing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at USA as well as a faculty sponsor for the Black Men in White Coats chapter at Whiddon College of Medicine.
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Here is a link to the Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail website which features audio tours of 32 points of interest about people and places that have had and continues to have an impact on shaping the history of Mobile. https://www.dffaaht.org/point-of-interest
