From Separate to Equal, the Creation of Truman Medical Center
April 7, 2011 | | 1 min read
From noted filmmaker Kevin Willmott, it’s a documentary called “From Separate to Equal, the Creation of Truman Medical Center.” This history of health care in Kansas City’s black community touches on pioneering African-American doctors with names like Unthank and Thompson and Perry, and early hospitals like Douglas and Wheatley. There are stories about about jazz legends and black celebrities who, despite their stature, couldn’t get treatment in white hospitals. It’s an eye opener, and a primer on how things can, with determination, be changed.
Airs Thursday, April 14 at 9pm
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