Growing up in Harlem, Lonnie Bristow, MD, frequently accompanied his mother, a nurse at Sydenham Hospital, on walks home from work. These walks introduced him to the world of medicine and ignited his passion for the field. After completing his bachelor’s degree at Morehouse College and the City College of New York, he earned his medical degree from New York University College of Medicine in 1957.
Following part of his residency in San Francisco, Dr. Bristow established his practice in the Bay Area in the early 1960s, specializing in internal and occupational medicine. In 1985, he broke barriers by becoming the first Black member of the American Medical Association’s board of trustees, with the association allowing membership to Black doctors beginning in 1968. Furthermore, Dr. Bristow became the association’s first Black president from 1995 to 1996.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Bristow remained dedicated to advancing healthcare equality and improving doctor-patient relationships. He advocated for diverse representation in medicine and emphasized the importance of culturally competent care. His legacy reinforces the vital role of diversity and patient-centered care in the medical profession.
