A storied life 3 generations of DOs in the Anderson family carry on a proud tradition During his career, William G. Anderson, DO, opened doors in the profession for minority physicians, including his own children and grandchildren. Oct. 15, 2015Thursday Rose Raymond Contact Rose Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics minority health care William G. Anderson, DO, has packed a lot of life into the last 87 years. An influential civil rights activist, he worked alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy to fight segregation and discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement. An accomplished osteopathic surgeon, he became the first African-American president of the AOA in the mid-1990s. And today, although retired from clinical practice, Dr. Anderson remains active in the osteopathic medical profession as an advisor to the dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing. “There’s still a lot I want to do,” he says. “In 20 years, I might think about retiring.” ‘Attitude of limitlessness’ Beyond his civil rights leadership and professional accomplishments, Dr. Anderson counts a rich family life as one of his greatest achievements. Alongside his wife, Norma, he raised five children, three of whom followed in his footsteps to become osteopathic physicians. Furthermore, two of his grandchildren also carry on the family tradition as DOs. Well-versed in the history of Dr. Anderson’s proud career, his children and grandchildren often marvel at how far the osteopathic profession has advanced in the 60 years since he became a DO. Even more, they have a deep respect for the actions he took to help pave the way for the minority physicians who came after him. “I truly appreciate the sacrifices my grandparents made throughout history for my generation,” says Dr. Anderson’s granddaughter, Camille Blake, DO, PhD, an internist in Tallahassee, Florida. “By observing them, I developed an attitude of limitlessness. I never once felt that being African-American should stop me from pursuing my dreams.” Breaking the ice Dr. Anderson often shares stories of the prejudice and discrimination he faced as a young physician during the early years of the Civil Rights Movement. Drawing on persistence, determination and assertiveness, he worked to chip away at the racial walls that surrounded him. When the hospital where he completed his clinical rotations would only assign him African-American patients, Dr. Anderson convinced the program administrator to assign him a few white patients on a trial basis. “They tried it, and nothing negative happened,” Dr. Anderson says. “Somebody had to break the ice, somebody had to take that first step.” Dr. Anderson’s son, William G. Anderson II, DO, credits his father and others of his generation for blazing the trail, but says the work is not done. “Blacks continue to be underrepresented in osteopathic, as well as allopathic medicine,” says Dr. Anderson II, a former ob-gyn and current medical educator in Livonia, Michigan. “Things are much better than they once were, but we still have a long way to go.” The work-life revolution One of the biggest changes to evolve the practice of medicine is the younger generation’s focus on work-life balance, the Andersons agree. Dr. Anderson loves to recount his early days running a family practice in Albany, Georgia during the early 1960s. Back then, many area hospitals denied black doctors hospital privileges, so Dr. Anderson often delivered babies in his office or at patient’s homes. “The patients knew where I lived,” he remembers. “They even knew where my bedroom was. When a woman was in labor, she would send her husband to my home. Many of my patients didn’t have telephones. So the husband would knock on the door of my bedroom and say, ‘My wife is in labor!'” During those years, practicing medicine was typically an all-encompassing endeavor. Dr. Anderson recalls having his office open for 12 hours a day and then making house calls during evenings and on Sundays. Two generations later, Dr. Blake points to the development of hospitalist positions and the expansion of emergency medicine as game-changers for physicians. “These advancements open the door for physicians, especially female physicians, to better balance a family life while maintaining a successful career,” says Dr. Blake. Although such changes have resulted in more opportunities for flexibility among today’s physicians, Dr. Blake has great admiration for the dedication and sacrifices of past generations. “Younger physicians really respect older physicians for that,” she says. Previous articleIn Memoriam: Oct. 15, 2015 Next articlePreventing workplace violence: Advice for occupational medicine physicians
What a great story about Dr Anderson. I would love to read about more of his experiences. Oct. 16, 2015, at 7:38 am Reply
Wonderful article ,your a credit to our profession and a great job to a family legacy. You should be good for another 20. Oct. 16, 2015, at 8:18 pm Reply
I had already been a practicing physician for 10 years when I began a new residency at DOH, in the early 90s. I was in aw at the ‘greatest’ that surrounded you; how other physicians spoke of your many accomplishments with pride that you are a DO. Thanks for being an Osteopathic Physician….all the rest of us stand more proudly as a result irregardless of the color of our skin. Oct. 17, 2015, at 9:20 am Reply
I first met Dr. Anderson when I was an OR orderly at Zieger Osteopathic Hospital as a 17 year old kid in 1973. I remember thinking what a great guy he was. Didn’t make me feel like the dirt on his shoe. I have always felt that that personal interest and respect rubbed off onto me back then, and has helped me maintain a positive attitude in medicine to this day. A gem of a guy. Oct. 17, 2015, at 3:27 pm Reply
I really enjoyed this story, it’s encouraging to know that the path had been blazed and it’s ours to follow and maintain it. Thank you Dr Anderson, may you continue to be a positive attitude and a role model to medicine. Oct. 18, 2015, at 11:02 pm Reply
Great story. The influence of the Andersons will live on for many years. Sitting here listening to the change coming for our profession at the ACOOG convention and reading this shows where we came from and how much farther we will continue to go. Thanks for all you have done for us and continue to do. Oct. 23, 2015, at 9:10 am Reply
Great story of a true PIONEER in the Osteopathic profession. He has been a marvelous Mentor to many and raised an exemplary family. I have known Bill for many years and we fought many battles together. He deserves all the tributes he has received. His legacy will live on for all to marvel. Ed Oct. 26, 2015, at 2:01 pm Reply
Loved this story and so proud to consider Dr Anderson a dear friend! God bless you and your family and my heartfelt thanks for your contributions to the Osteopathic profession and all of humanity! Much love. Kris Jacobs, RN Jan. 20, 2016, at 3:50 pm Reply
I remember Dr. Anderson from many years ago. He dressed meticulously, and always had a certain kindness about him, all the while being no nonsense. If he asked you a question, he expected an answer or an admission that you didn’t know the answer. He didn’t appreciate some made up answer, but valued an admission of ignorance. I always thought that he was a preacher as well, based upon the way that he was able to communicate with patients. He had a way of caring for patients, both their bodies and their souls. A very good man and a fine physician. Dec. 12, 2019, at 7:58 pm Reply
I first met Dr. W. Anderson as a third year medical student during my surgical rotating. A senor surgical nurse informed my how he like to quiz medical students regarding the anatomy during a procedure. We had an open cholecystectomy and a large bowel resection the next morning. I spent the whole night reviewing the anatomies regarding both procedures. Needy to say I made a great impression upon him. He taught my a great deal and as a person he is very affable. Feb. 28, 2020, at 9:25 am Reply