| The Afro-American Sons and Daughters was a fraternal organization formed to provide medical care to its members and others. Under the leadership of Thomas Huddleston, the hospital opened in 1928 in Yazoo City, and, at its largest, provided 50 hospital beds, one operating room, one delivery room, a nursery and related medical facilities. This was the first hospital built in Mississippi specifically to serve African Americans during the era of segregation. By the time it closed in 1972, thousands of African American patients had received free medical care at the facility. Among the medical professionals associated with the Afro-American Sons and Daughters Hospital were Dr. Lloyd T. Miller, known to have operated on more than 30,000 people, Dr. Robert Fullilove, Dr. Cyral A. Walwyn, and Mrs. Leola Galloway, who served as Head Nurse for many years, in charge of patient care and education for student nurses. The building is currently vacant. The building was designated a Mississippi Landmark on 14 April 2005. It was listed on the National Register on 24 January 2006. The National Register nomination was written by Dr. Patricia Murrain of Jackson State University. |