How do James Smith, Ignaz Semmelweis, and Louis Isaac Dublin fit in to World Patient Safety Day? They all used statistical methods to help change the way we understand patient safety.
James McCune Smith
Celebrating Black History Month 2026
In celebration of Black History Month, we recognize the following individuals for their contributions to the statistics field and the lasting impact of their work on research, education, and society.
James McCune Smith
James McCune Smith was the first professionally trained Black physician to practice in the United States. Smith’s work pioneered the use of statistical evidence to evaluate the efficacy of medical treatments and dismantle racist claims of Black biological inferiority.