Weill Cornell Medicine faculty, students, alumni and members of the Giles family gathered at Griffis Faculty Club on June 17 to celebrate the life and legacy of Roscoe Conkling Giles, M.D. 1915, the first Black graduate of Weill Cornell Medical College and a pioneering surgeon, educator and public health leader.
The reception, organized by Dr. Heidi Bender, associate dean for faculty engagement and inclusion, and Fanesse Acquaye, executive director of the Office of Culture, Inclusion & Employee Experience, honored Dr. Giles’ groundbreaking achievements while highlighting the service and perseverance that defined his life and career. A highlight of the event was the recognition of a portrait of Dr. Giles, originally donated to the institution by his family in 2023, and restored by the Dean’s Office.
From left: Dean Robert A. Harrington, Dr. Heidi Bender, Roscoe Giles III, Francis Giles, Fanesse Acquaye, Dr. Joseph Safdieh and Cathy Garzio
A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Dr. Giles graduated from what was then known as Cornell University Medical College in 1915 and went on to become the first Black physician admitted to the American Board of Surgery. He later served as president of the National Medical Association, led Chicago’s health department and volunteered for service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II, where he cared for Black service members at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
“Today we celebrate the determination, Alpha Phi Alpha-style tenacity, hard work, religious faith and, frankly, shrewdness, which helped him succeed at our medical college and earn a degree in 1915,” said Dr. Robert A. Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and provost for medical affairs of Cornell University. “We stand on the shoulders of giants, and Dr. Roscoe Conkling Giles was such a person.”
Dr. Giles’ grandsons, Francis Giles and Dr. Roscoe Giles III, offered a glimpse into the man behind the many accomplishments. Francis Giles recalled his grandfather’s generosity toward patients who could not afford care, describing how he often treated patients free of charge and provided medications at his own expense.
“The portrait that you see,” said Francis Giles, referring to the painting of Dr. Giles displayed in the entrance of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Research and Education Building on Weill Cornell Medicine’s campus, “was a gift from one of his patients, symbolizing the lasting impact of his care and dedication.”
Dr. Roscoe Giles III emphasized the importance of preserving his grandfather’s legacy through the family’s donation of archival materials and through ongoing efforts to share his inspiring story with future generations.
“The visibility here and impact in a context of science, medicine and education, which is what Weill Cornell Medicine is all about, is incredibly needed right now,” said Dr. Giles III.
Speakers throughout the event recounted Dr. Giles’ determination in the face of adversity and his commitment to creating opportunities for others. Jason Gamble, president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated’s Rho Psi Lambda chapter, connected those qualities the fraternity’s tradition of service, leadership, and resilience, and how Dr. Giles embodied those values.
Dr. Giles’ legacy also lives on through the Roscoe Conkling Giles Class of 1915 Scholarship, established in 1982 to support medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine.