Dr. Charles H. Epps (Finding Aid)

Dr. Charles H. Epps

1930 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Fried Chicken or Spaghetti and Meatballs

Favorite Time of Year: Spring and Fall

Favorite Vacation Spot: Florida

Interview Length: 200 minutes

Interview Date(s): March 17, 2003

Interview Location(s): Washington, D.C.

Abstract

Orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator and medical educator Dr. Charles H. Epps, Jr. shares memories of growing up in the Pimlico neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, during the 1930s and early 1940s. He talks about his parents and the values they taught him, about his siblings and childhood pasttimes. He remembers his early education, first in a private home, then in a small elementary school for black children. Dr. Epps also recalls his shock at age six upon seeing the big, well-equipped white school and learning the realities of segregation and separate but unequal school facilities. Orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator and medical educator Dr. Charles H. Epps, Jr. recalls experiences during his youth in Baltimore Maryland, including scholastic and extra-curricular activities in junior high and high school, attending Boys' State Senate, a model legislature event at which he proposed and passed an anti-discrimination bill. Dr. Epps discusses the death of his father in his teens, and his mother a few years later, and he tells about working his way through college and medical school at Howard University. Orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator and medical educator Dr. Charles H. Epps, Jr. talks about his favorite teachers from all his levels of schooling, focusing in most detail on his teachers at Howard University both in undergraduate courses and in the College of Medicine, from which he graduated in 1955. He also discusses his family's apparent predisposition for tuberculosis, recalls Dr. E. Franklin Frazier for whom he did housework and odd-jobs during college, and talks about his courtship and marriage to Roselyn Payne Epps. Orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator and medical educator Dr. Charles H. Epps, Jr. recalls his studies at Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at Freedmen's Hospital, being hired to teach at Howard and at age 33 becoming chief of orthopedic surgery. Dr. Epps discusses the transition to black faculty at Howard's medical school and the history of its orthopedics department. He also tells about his service as a captain in a reserve hospital unit of the U.S. Army. Orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator and medical educator Dr. Charles H. Epps, Jr. talks about his career, including teaching at Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., supervising residents, treating patients, and participating in professional organizations. He describes relations with white colleagues that have run the gamut from friendship to racism, and recounts incidents when white patients were reluctant to have a black doctor treat them. Orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator and medical educator Dr. Charles H. Epps, Jr. talks about his work as an educational and medical administrator, first as Dean of Howard University College of Medicine, then as Vice President of Health Affairs at Howard, a position overseeing five colleges and Howard University Hospital. Dr. Epps also discusses advances in prosthetics and other medical technology over the course of his career, and shares his ideas on health care policy and the role of historically black medical schools. Orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator and medical educator Dr. Charles H. Epps, Jr. talks about his current activities as a Professor Emeritus at Howard University College of Medicine, guest lecturer at other institutions and a board member of organizations. He shares memories of his courtship and marriage to Dr. Roselyn Payne-Epps and of raising their four children, and looks back on the self-sufficiency and frugality he needed to support himself and pay for his education. At the end of this tape Dr. Epps shows three photos.

50 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)