In 1991, a group of African-American female physicians formed the Association of Black Women Physicians-Houston. These ladies saw the need for an organization that would provide health education, healthcare advocacy, and a sisterhood among black female physicians. This multidisciplinary group of women physicians became a source of support and networking opportunities for its member physicians, residents and medical students who reside in the Greater Houston and Galveston area.

Early in the year of 1997, the organization’s name was changed to honor the first African-American female physician to practice in Texas: Dr. Mary Susan Moore.

Dr. Mary Susan Moore was born 1865 in Chatham County, North Carolina. She earned her Doctorate of Medicine in 1898 from Meharry Medical Department of Central Tennessee College (now Meharry Medical College). Dr. Moore was the first Black female physician to practice medicine in Texas. In 1903, she and her husband, Dr. James D. Moore, opened a forty-bed hospital, Hubbard Sanitarium, in Galveston to serve the health needs of Black people. For four years Dr. Moore and her husband fought opposition from residents and local government. In 1907, the city of Galveston repealed the ordinance prohibiting the operation of Hubbard Sanitarium. Dr. Moore and her husband maintained the hospital until about 1925. Dr. Mary Susan Moore died August 22, 1965.

Today, Mary Susan Moore Medical Society (MSMMS) continues its mission to be an example of medical excellence and empowering future Black women physicians.

One of our core initiatives is scholarship fundraising, helping to address the financial burden faced by Black women pursuing careers in medicine. With Black women making up less than 3% of physicians and the average medical graduate facing over $250,000 in student loan debt, our mission is more critical than ever. Since our founding, we have awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. In 2024 alone, we distributed nearly $40,000 to seven medical students and two residents from prestigious institutions such as Baylor College of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Houston McGovern Medical School, Sam Houston State College of Osteopathic Medicine, and others. Many of our past scholarship recipients are now practicing in the Houston-Galveston medical community, addressing health disparities and transforming lives.

For 2025, we aim to raise over $30,000 to expand our scholarship reach and provide even greater financial relief to deserving students. As you know, today’s medical students of color face tremendous headwinds to financial support! Your sponsorship can help us achieve this goal and positively impact the future of Black women in medicine. Your financial contribution or resource support will empower MSMMS to continue its mission of advancing health equity through the development of future African American female physicians. Every dollar counts in making a lasting difference.

Learn more about us at www.marysusanmooremedicalsociety.org

Scholarship Fund for Mary Susan Moore Medical Society

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