Celebrating Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston: A Pioneer in Public Health

Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston has made significant contributions to public health, chiefly in enhancing healthcare access for underserved populations. Her career was inspired by personal experiences, including her mother's struggle with cervical cancer and a lack of health insurance. Starting her medical journey at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1960, she was the sole Black woman in her class and later pursued a specialty in pediatrics at Philadelphia General Hospital.

Dr. Gaston's groundbreaking work on sickle cell disease (SCD) during her internship led to federal grants and the development of essential screening protocols. As leader of the NIH Sickle Cell Disease Branch, her research demonstrated that early detection and prophylactic antibiotics could prevent severe SCD infections in children. This finding received legislative backing, facilitating the creation of national screening programs vital for infants in underserved communities.

Advancing public health, Dr. Gaston became the first Black woman to lead a public health service bureau, managing programs at HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care to deliver crucial services to low-income and uninsured groups. Additionally, she coauthored "Prime Time: The African American Woman’s Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness," addressing crucial health issues for Black women. With Black History Month 2026 on the horizon, it's fitting to celebrate Dr. Gaston's impactful role in public health policy and practice for marginalized communities.