Emory University has apologized to gynecologist and obstetrician Dr. Marion Hood, 83, for rejecting him from the medical school six decades earlier because he is Black, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Dr. Vikas P. Sukhatme and Dr. Marion Hood“I am sorry I must write you that we are not authorized to consider for admission a member of the Negro race. I regret that we cannot help you,” Emory responded to Hood on Aug. 5, 1959.
“The Emory deal in itself was good…to bring some closure,” Hood said. “Discrimination to me was an everyday part of life.”
Currently, approximately 16% of Emory’s medical students are Black, said Emory School of Medicine Dean Dr. Vikas P. Sukhatme.
“On behalf of Emory University School of Medicine, I apologize for the letter you received in 1959 in which you were denied consideration for admission, due to your race,” Sukhatme wrote. “We are deeply sorry this happened and regret that it took Emory more than 60 year to offer you our sincere apologies.”
