Born at Parkland during segregation, Dr. James Griffin is the first African American to serve as medical staff president

Born in an era of segregation and deep racial separatism, James Griffin’s career came full circle last month when he became the first African American to serve as the president of the medical staff at Parkland Health, the very place he was born. The recognition comes after more than 40 years of unending devotion to what he believes to be the greatest form of human connection there is, providing care. As he reflects on his past and where his journey began, born in the same institution decades later he would walk the halls as a respected leader, it’s remarkable to see the path Griffin has forged for himself and those who look like him. When he was born in 1958, Parkland was one of the only hospitals in the area where Black women could deliver. Now, serving at that same hospital, the significance of this recognition is deeply personal to him. Related Stories “Until I became a second grader, my parents couldn’t vote. So being elected by my peers connects me back to a point in time where people like me did not have a voice,” said Griffin, chief of anesthesiology services at Parkland and professor of anesthesiology at The...