50th Anniversary Diversity Celebration at Harvard Medical and School of Dental Medicine
On Monday, October 28, 2019, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) held their 50th Anniversary Diversity Celebration. The event marked the anniversary of the year that HMS moved to establish a program to recruit 15 African American students – including the Harris County Hospital District Foundation’s (HCHD Foundation’s) Board of Trustee’s President, Matthew Plummer, Jr., DMD, MPH. Dr. Plummer presented a moving speech, recollecting his time as a former student of Dr. Alvin Pouissaint.
The year was 1968. America was experiencing social and political turmoil. The country seemed to be having a nervous break down, with one traumatic event followed by another. It was during these uncertain and tumultuous times that I entered Harvard, as one of the first Black students, who was an unknowing participant in Harvard’s first attempt at meaningful diversity. For Harvard, it was a bold and courageous undertaking.
— Matthew Plummer, Jr., DMD, MPH
On behalf of the HCHD Foundation Board of Trustees and HCHD Foundation Team, we are all truly proud of the successes of Dr. Plummer and his contributions to the community during and following his time at Harvard.