No. 69: Dr. Alexa Irene Canady
Episode Transcript
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Imagine stepping into an operating room where the stakes are life and death—and being the only Black woman in the room, not just as a spectator, but as the lead surgeon. This was the reality for Dr. Alexa Irene Canady, a trailblazer who redefined what it means to break boundaries in medicine.
Hi, I’m Shae, a PhD Candidate at Harvard, and welcome to the “100 Historic Black Women You Should Know By Election Day” series.
Today, we're diving into the life of Dr. Alexa Irene Canady, the first African American woman in the United States to become a neurosurgeon. Born in 1950, Dr. Canady faced an uphill battle in her pursuit of medicine. She attended the University of Michigan, where she initially struggled with self-doubt and the racial and gender biases that were prevalent at the time. But instead of letting these obstacles stop her, she used them as fuel to succeed.
In 1975, she moved to Connecticut to become a surgical intern at Yale-New Haven Hospital where she became the first black woman in the program. In 1981, Dr. Canady shattered the glass ceiling when she completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota. She became the first Black woman to do so, in a field that was not only challenging but often hostile to those who didn't fit the mold.
She kept on pursuing her dreams and at just 36 years old, Dr. Canady became the Chief of Neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Michigan
She specialized in pediatric neurosurgery, a branch of medicine that requires a rare combination of precision, compassion, and nerves of steel. Over the course of her career, she saved the lives of countless children, handling cases that others deemed too risky. Her innovations in the field, particularly her work in hydrocephalus, significantly advanced medical practices and improved patient outcomes.
Here's something interesting—Dr. Canady almost didn’t become a doctor. She considered dropping out of medical school after experiencing intense discrimination and isolation. But after a summer internship in neurosurgery, she realized this was her calling. Can you imagine how different the field would be today if she hadn’t persevered?
If you’re as inspired by Dr. Alexa Canady's story as I am, make sure to rate this podcast 5 stars so more people can hear about these incredible women. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more stories that shine a light on the Black women who shaped our world. Until next time, I’m Shae, and remember—history is richer when we tell all of it.
