The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia opened a new exhibition, “A Prescription for Change,” which highlights the significant contributions of Black medical professionals in Virginia since the 1700s.

The exhibition is curated by public historian and author, Elvatrice Belsches, and collected by BHMVA’s director of collections, Mary Lauderdale. It features historical highlights on Black health care professionals and associations, artifacts and documents from various health care fields, such as nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and medicine and efforts to combat health care disparities, inequities and systematic barriers.

“Black medical professionals have made remarkable and significant contributions across all medical fields,” said Shakia Gullette Warren, BHMVA’s executive director, on Tuesday. “This exhibition offers some of those milestones to help us better understand how we got here and our pathway.”

On the museum’s second floor through the narrow and steep stairs, the exhibition’s journey begins by sharing stories and artifacts such as medical tools and certificates dating from the 1700s. Though the medicine was not technologically advanced, early Black physicians, healers and midwives still provided health care in their communities. As the 20th century began, Black institutions and health care organizations began to form. The exhibit’s journey then steers from the painted portraits of early Black health care workers, to black-and-white photographs of medical and pharmaceutical students at HCBUs, as well as graduation portraits of a Black doctors and dentists.

  

“You ever wonder why there’s an American Medical Association and a National Medical Association, a National Dental Association and an American Dental Association?” Belsches asked. “There’s a reason for that. It was due to the early exclusionary practices and so they still exist.”

The museum also hosts a pop-up exhibit curated by the Black American Artist Alliance of Richmond, a local organization dedicated to promoting the growth and development of Black artists in the area. Titled “Sweet to the Soul and Healing to the Bones,” a reference to Proverbs 16:24, the exhibit showcases the work of 14 artists who highlight the impactful contributions of Black health care professionals.

The art pieces delve into the physical, psychological and historical challenges Black patients face within health care disparities, while also offering a vision for a more equitable future. The exhibit runs through Nov. 30.

“They were ages of change in education, civil rights and promotion of the arts, amongst many other things,” said Lauderdale. “I’m very proud to be able to be part of this beautiful exhibition.”

“A Prescription for Change” continues until March 15, 2025.