1536 Papin Street

In 1933, the Sisters of St. Mary made a groundbreaking change by opening their previously all-white hospital—originally founded in 1877—to African American physicians and patients. This shift was a significant milestone in the struggle for racial equality in healthcare during a time of widespread segregation.

St. Mary’s Hospital quickly became an important institution for the education and professional development of African American medical professionals. That same year, a nursing school was established to train Black nurses, offering both foundational and advanced medical education. The hospital also provided review courses and postgraduate training for Black physicians, facilitated by the staff of St. Louis University School of Medicine, helping to elevate the standards and opportunities available to Black medical practitioners.

This commitment to education and inclusivity served the community for over three decades until the St. Mary’s Infirmary closed its doors in 1966. Its legacy remains an important chapter in the history of African American healthcare and medical education in St. Louis.