James Bennett McCord

James Bennett McCord (April 5, 1870 – October 5, 1950) was an American medical missionary and physician who founded the McCord Zulu Hospital and spent over three decades treating mostly African, Native, and mixed race patients in Durban, South Africa. He pioneered the training program for the first African nurses, worked towards the establishment of a medical school dedicated to training black doctors, and shared his life story in his autobiography titled My Patients Were Zulus.

Early life and education James B. McCord was born on April 5, 1870, in Toulon, Illinois, to Robert L. McCord, a Congregational minister in Iowa and Illinois, and Helen D. McCord (née Hopkins), who came from a farming and politically involved family in Illinois. McCord studied at Oberlin College’s preparatory school before continuing on to attend the college. He graduated in 1891 and then attended medical school at Northwestern University.

Personal life McCord met his wife, Margaret McCord (née Mellon), whose parents were former medical missionaries in South Africa, at Oberlin College, and they married on August 14th, 1895. They had six children together: Jessie, Mary, Robert, Laura, William, and Margaret. However, a new law mandated that a British medical degree was required to practice medicine in Natal, Nurses were held to high standards, morally and religiously, and were often supervised to ensure that they continued fulfilling their jobs to the level expected of them. the McCord Zulu Hospital set up the Sinikithemba (or ‘we give hope’ in Zulu) HIV clinic and implemented comprehensive treatment programs in 1996.

Transition to Government ownership and control The McCord Zulu Hospital grew to include over 400 staff and 140 beds, becoming one of largest hospitals in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Unfortunately, however, a cut in funding, initially from international sources in 2012 and then from the government in 2013, meant that it would not be able to stay open, Despite the hospital's dedication since its establishment to provide quality care to the less privileged (extending to those without health insurance in recent decades)

Training and Education Initiatives From the start when the McCord Zulu Hospital opened, McCord was dedicated to training Africans to be healthcare personnel. The first nurse he trained was Katie Makanya, who was crucial for the mission's success. She was also his assistant, translator, and interpreter, and as a Zulu, she bridged the gap between the local patients and McCord. Makanya worked at the Beatrice Street Dispensary from 1904 to 1940, and her story is the subject of the book The Calling of Katie Makanya, written by Margaret (Peggy) McCord-Nixon, McCord's youngest daughter. The hospital has provided training and experience for many healthcare professionals, and notable alumni include Dr. J. Ndlovu, KwaZulu-Natal's first African psychiatrist; Dr. Zweli Mkhize, KwaZulu-Natal's former Minister of Health; Professor M.W. Makgoba, University of Natal's Vice Chancellor; and Professor D.J. Ncayiyana, Durban Institute of Technology's Chancellor and South African Medical Journal’s Editor. and "Native Witch Doctors and Healers." He elevated the medical care provided to nonwhite patients, and his efforts have left a long-lasting impact in South Africa, extending to present day.