Other Graduates of the Early Years

Paul James Taylor, MD
(Class of 1906)

A Virginian by birth (1883), Paul James Taylor graduated from JMC in 1906 and was one of the young African American doctors to take advantage of the openings at the recently-established black-run Douglass Hospital as a Resident and Visiting Physician. In 1910, Dr. Taylor opened a private practice on 19th Street and was for many years also on the staff of the outpatient tuberculosis clinic (238 Pine St.) of Jefferson's Department for Diseases of the Chest.

A member of the National Medical Association and executive member of the Philadelphia Academy of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Dr. Taylor was also accepted into Sigma Pi Phi, but resigned from this fraternity in 1913. He died in 1956.

Thomas Spotuas Burwell, MD
(Class of 1907)

Born in 1876 in North Carolina and educated at Lincoln University, Dr. Burwell received his MD from JMC in 1907. Long-time head of staff at Douglass Hospital and practicing physician, he served as president of the National Medical Association in 1929. Dr. Burwell was active on the board of the YMCA and president of the Lincoln University Alumni Association, from where he graduated in 1900. Dr. Burwell was an early supporter of the NAACP and participated at activist events. At the age of 61 in 1937, he died of coronary embolus and his body was returned to his home state for burial.

Frederick Miller Hopkins, MD
(Class of 1909)

Born in Philadelphia in 1888 and educated at Central High School, Dr. Hopkins was awarded his medical degree from JMC in 1909. He served in the Medical Reserve with a rank of Captain and managed his private practice on N. 57th Street soon after graduation and was still listed as active in 1968.

Dr. Hopkins was a general surgeon and a member of the National Medical Association, American Medical Association, Philadelphia County Medical Society, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Clinical Pathological Society, Academy of Medicine and Allied Sciences, fraternities and was a 32nd degree Mason. He died February 18, 1978.