Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr. (Finding Aid)

Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr.

1930 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Sole

Favorite Time of Year: Spring

Favorite Vacation Spot: Puerto Rico; Maine

Interview Length: 109 minutes

Interview Date(s): June 7, 2004

Interview Location(s): Howard University Hospital, Washington, D.C.

Abstract

Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall talks about his parents, his childhood in Quincy, Florida, his decision at age nine to become a doctor after helping an injured bird and the strong encouragement he received from parents, teachers and the local African American physician. He relates his experiences at Florida A & M College which he started at age fifteen and where, in addition to his studies, he attended music and sports events, and pledged Alpha. Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall recalls his experiences at Florida A&M College, telling anecdotes about some of his most influential teachers and FAM-C President William H. Gray. He goes on to talk about his studies at Howard University School of Medicine, including classes with luminaries such as Dr. Montague Cobb, Dr. Charles Drew, Dr. Burke Syphax and Dr. Jack White. He attended Dr. Drew's last class on the day before his death following an automobile accident in North Carolina and vividly recalls learning of his death. Leffall also talks about his own attempts to dispel the persistant rumors about Dr. Drew having died due to being refused medical care at a white hospital; he points out that although such discrimination was common, the other black physicians who were with Drew in the car said that he had received the best care available at a small hospital at that time. Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall, Jr. discusses his post-med school education: his internship at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, his surgical residency at Freeman's Hospital in Washington, D.C., a year as one of the first black residents in Georgetown's residency program at Gallinger Hospital and a two-year fellowship in cancer surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He talks about his marriage, his military service in Germany, his trips to other countries for research and humanitarian work, arising out of his activities with the American Cancer Society, of which he served as President in 1978-79. He also discusses issues of racial and socioeconomic cancer health disparities and work being done to educate minorities about cancer prevention and the importance of earlier diagnoses. Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall, Jr. shares his pride in his son and remembers his parents and their deaths. He talks about his positions as president of the American Cancer Society and of the American College of Surgeons and his work with cancer organizations. He reflects on his legacy, goals yet to be accomplished, and what he believes the role of a teacher should be, and he offers advice for young black students who want to go into medicine today.

34 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)