Pioneering Oncologist: The Life and Legacy of Jane Cooke Wright
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright was a pioneering oncologist whose innovative work in chemotherapy transformed cancer treatment. She developed groundbreaking techniques using human tissue cultures to test drug effects on cancer cells. By doing so, she greatly advancing the field.
The Influences of Dr. Jane Cooke Wright
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright was born on November 20, 1919, in New York City to Corinne Cooke, a public school teacher, and Dr. Louis Tompkins Wright, one of the first African Americans to graduate from Harvard Medical School. Her father was one of the first African American graduates from Harvard Medical School and a pioneering surgeon. He established the Cancer Research Foundation at Harlem Hospital. Growing up, Jane attended private schools in New York City, Harlem and the Bronx. Her father set a high standard for Jane and she followed in his footsteps, pursuing a career in medicine.
Education
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942. She graduated with honors from New York Medical College (part of Touro College) in 1945 and completed her internship at Bellevue Hospital. She joined the Cancer Research Foundation at Harlem Hospital in 1949, focusing on chemotherapy.
Career
Wright then served as chief resident at Harlem Hospital, collaboratings with her father in cancer research. Wright made groundbreaking contributions to cancer research. She developed innovative techniques for administering chemotherapy and was instrumental in testing new drugs on human tissue cultures. Her work significantly advanced the field of oncology, making chemotherapy a more effective treatment for cancer patients.
In addition to her research, Wright held several prestigious positions. By 1967, she became the highest-ranking African American woman in a U.S. medical institution, holding positions as a professor of surgery and the head of the cancer chemotherapy department. She was also the associate dean at New York Medical College. Her leadership and expertise earned her numerous accolades, including being the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society in 1971.
Life
Dr. Wright married David D. Jones Jr., a Harvard Law School graduate, in 1947. They had two daughters, Jane Wright Jones and Alison Jones. Despite her demanding career, Wright balanced her professional and personal life, often emphasizing the importance of family. She was also an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright made numerous groundbreaking contributions to the field of oncology with her chemotherapy techniques, leadership roles in the field, as president of the New York Cancer Society and as the co-founder of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), an organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient care.
Legacy
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright passed away on February 19, 2013 due to natural causes at the age of 93 in Guttenberg, NJ. Dr. Wright’s work has had a lasting impact on the field of oncology, and her legacy continues to inspire future generations of medical professionals. To learn more about Dr. Wright, click here.