Josie English Wells

Josie English Wells (1876-20 March 1921) and the first woman of any race to open a private practice in Nashville, Tennessee. and his wife Eliza.

Physician career Following graduation, Wells established a clinic for women and children that served the whole community, regardless of race. When the hospital was built, she was named assistant superintendent, with George W. Hubbard the superintendent. She became its superintendent in 1912, though she had effectively "had charge" since it opened in 1910. She worked as the chief administrative adviser for Hubbard at this time as well. In 1915, she, Hubbard, and Chamian Hunt led the search for a new head nurse, eventually selecting Hulda Margaret Lyttle at Hunt's recommendation.

As well as her professional work, Wells was active in the wider community. During the First World War, she was part of the executive committee of the Colored Unit of the Women's Council of Defense, and actively supported women's suffrage. Wells' daughter, Alma, married John T. Givens, a scholarship in whose name is awarded annually to a student in the School of Medicine.

Death and legacy

Wells had surgery to remove a goiter on March 19, 1921, and over the next couple days grew ill due to myocarditis. Josie English Wells died on 20 March 1921. She was buried in Nashville's Greenwood Cemetery.

In 2022, a historical marker was erected to commemorate Wells by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. Efforts for the plaque were spearheaded by Sandra Parham, library executive director at Meharry Medical College.