Distrustful of Science: How the Tuskegee Study Changed a Durham Resident’s Life and Legacy

This event qualifies for 1 hour of credit toward the annual Gillings School inclusive excellence training requirement for faculty and staff.

In the late 1960’s, Bill Jenkins was at his first job at the federal National Center for Health Statistics when he found out about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. He and a small group of African American federal employees who were outraged by the study tried to bring national attention to it. Their actions were ignored. A few years later, the study was stopped. The men brought legal action against the federal government and received financial compensation and lifelong medical care for themselves and their families. Recognizing how such a study could survive for 40 years changed the course of Bill’s life. It inspired a life devoted to education, research and management of federal and university programs. Dr. Diane Rowley, Bill’s wife and a renowned researcher in maternal and child health, discusses her husband’s work and lessons he shared. Relevant to today’s pandemic, Dr. Rowley explains what Bill would tell distrustful Americans about taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

Registration required.