José Celso Barbosa, MD (1857-1921): An Independent Puerto Rican
Dr. Barbosa was born in Puerto Rico in 1857. In 1875, after encouragement from his family, Dr. Barbosa left Puerto Rico for New York City to pursuit of furthering his education. After catching pneumonia, Dr. Barbosa became interest in medicine. He applied to Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, but admissions officials rejected his application due to his race.
Barbosa was not discouraged. In 1880, he graduated with honors from the University of Michigan as the first Puerto Rican to receive a medical degree in the United States.
Barbosa went on to care for soldiers in the Spanish-American War through the Red Cross and to treat many patients across Puerto Rico. Barbosa even introduced the idea of employer-based healthcare insurance, which was a radical idea at the time.
