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Association challenges knowledge of history In recognition of Black History Month, the Student National Pharmaceutical Association will present  a weekly question about African-Americans in health care.    To participate in the weekly prize drawing, submit answers to this week’s question at http://trivia.snphamusc.com. Here is last week’s question and answer: On Feb. 24, 1864 she became the first African-American woman to obtain a medical degree in the United States. Before going to medical school, she worked as a nurse for eight years in Massachusetts. Name this person. A: Rebecca Lee Crumpler. She was a native of Delaware and exposed early to family members unable to receive adequate health care. This led to her move to Boston, Massachusetts to pursue a career in nursing. In 1860, she was admitted to the New England Female Medical College and graduated in 1964 becoming the first black female to receive a medical  degree in the United States. To this date, she is also the only black female to graduate from the New England Female Medical College which closed in 1873. Not much information survived about this extraordinary woman, however her book published in 1873, “Book of Medical Discourses” gives information on the paths she took. Crumpler helped to change the face of medicine. (Source: National Library of Medicine) This week’s question  What is the name of the city and state where the first African-American pharmacist is from?     Friday, Feb. 23, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.