Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Tangazo is a meeting place where we share ideas and explore efforts to improve our human conditions and quite simply make our lives better. All are welcome, none will be judged, but all are challenged to look beyond ourselves and our notions of how others think about issues of cultural​,​ political and social significance. We are building bridges of communication between the many groups that make up the St​. L​ouis Metropolitan Region by sharing and reflecting on the stories and lives of a diverse group of guests.

Host and Producer: Hank Thompson
Guest Hosts: Tim Person, Rev. Darryl Gray & Mike Jones
Technical Producers: Kevin Melter, Frankie Meixner, Ryan Voelkel, Jeron Wilson, Matt Patston, Jon Valley

  1. All Episodes
  2. 134: Homer G. Phillips Hospital's Legacy

134: Homer G. Phillips Hospital's Legacy

Jul 26, 2023

Homer G Phillips Hospital, belongs to the Ville  neighborhood and to the African American community, its history and its culture in StLouis mo. 
It was my privilege and perhaps even my duty ,to have this discussion with the leadership of the Homer G Phillips Nurses Alumni Association, concerning their lawsuit against developer Paul McKee, for copyright infringement. ———

I was joined in studio by Yvonne Jones, President of HGP Nurses Association and Zenobia Thompson, Vice Chairman and a long time healthcare activist l, in the StLouis metro area. ———

Our conversation focused on McKee’s misappropriation, of the historic black hospital’s name, from the African American community for his, for profit 3 bed healthcare facility located near downtown StLouis. ———

It was hard for me to be the objective host, for this discussion, given my history with Homer G Phillis Hospital. ———

I was born there, my son Christian Thompson ,was born there, my late mother, Mrs Emma Lou Thompson, a LPN worked there for some 40 years and was dedicated to Homer G Phillips and her many healthcare colleagues, while working the 11p to 7am shift for over 4 decades. ———

Homer G Phillips Hospital, was opened in 1937 on Whittier ave. in the Ville neighborhood, around the corner from the Sumner High School, Antioch Baptist Church and the iconic Annie Malone Children’s Home.  ——

The hospital gained national recognition for its excellent training of black physicians, nurses and surgeons, who were denied access to interning at hospitals, throughout the south during that time period. ———

Homer G Phillips Hospital, was ranked in the top ten public hospitals, across the nation, while training medical students, from across the globe.
Homer G Phillips was closed in 1979, by former mayor Jim Conway an unforgivable act, that caused him to be a one term mayor, as Congressman Bill Clay Sr., had promised him he would be, if he indeed closed Homer G Phillips Hospital.------

The copyright lawsuit, brought by the Homer G Phillips Nurses Alumni Association, against Paul McKee, was filed in 2022 and is scheduled to be heard, in January 2024. ——

Ours is a passionate conversation that you need to hear, it’s our black history, our culture and legacy that’s once again being threatened. ———

The Homer G Phillips Nurses Association, needs our support.
A GoFundMe  account has been established, to support this lawsuit. Please visit Fundraiser by the Change The Name Coalition. ———