Pioneering heart surgeon, educator and civil rights activist Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. died last Friday. Dr. Watkins leaves behind a series of barrier-shattering achievements and a legacy of promoting change for future Black doctors and activists. Born June 13, 1944 in Parson, Kan., Dr. Watkins’ father, Levi Sr., was the sixth president of Alabama State University.
As a young student, Watkins made the first of his historic achievements by becoming the first Black to study at Vanderbilt University’s School Of Medicine, graduating in 1970. Watkins’ next achievement was becoming the first Black intern at Johns Hopkins School Of Medicine, eventually returning to the school to become its first Black chief resident of heart surgery.
In February 1980, Watkins was the first surgeon to apply an automatic defibrillator in a human heart, revolutionizing heart surgery by way of the risky procedure. At the same time, Watkins was dissatisfied with the lack of diversity at Hopkins and worked to broaden the racial makeup at the prestigious medical school as a member of its admissions committee.
Beyond medicine, Watkins was a vocal proponent of equal rights for Black prisoners recalls former Rep. Kwesi Mfume. Mfume says he met Watkins on the picket line during a protest in the ’80’s. Watkins involvement in such causes was most likely inspired by his close connection to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whom he met as a boy in Alabama. Later, Watkins served as a driver for King and joined the movement as a result of the divisive racism he witnessed.
In 1991, Watkins moved to the classroom as a professor of cardiac surgery and then the associate dean of Hopkins’ medical school. According to the The Baltimore Sun, there Watkins provided support and opportunities for the next generation of doctors. Famed neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson counted Watkins as one of his mentors and friends.
Watkins retired from surgery in 2006 and from the classroom in 2013, according to published reports. Watkins was also active in his church community and was a 40-year member of Baltimore’s Union Baptist Church. Watkins was lauded by Rev. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr. for his service to the church and its surrounding communities.
He is credited in creating the annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration at Hopkins, an event that has been ongoing for over 30 years. Last year, the school unveiled a portrait of Watkins installing it earlier this month in the Division of Cardiac Surgery.
Watkins never married. He is survived by his brothers Donald V. Watkins Sr. and James Watkins, his sister Doristine Minott, and several nieces and nephews. Watkins was 70.
(Photo: Ebony Magazine)
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