Dr. Patricia Bath was a world-renowned ophthalmologist who gets accolades from both her peers and patients alike. Now, she could be making history.
In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the late doctor — who died in 2019 — has been nominated 11 times to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, an entity that recognizes the enduring legacies of exceptional U.S. patent holders. If admitted, she would be the only Black woman out of 603 inventors.
Dr. Patricia Bath was also the first to document that Blacks suffered blindness disproportionately to other racial groups.
“My mother’s invention is as significant to the laser cataract surgery industry as Bell’s telephone is to the telecommunications industry and Edison’s light bulb is to the electric lighting industry,” said Dr. Eraka Bath, Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA, in the press release announcement. “Being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame would be an amazing honor.”
Dr. Eraka Bath is Dr. Patricia Bath’s daughter.
In honor of Black History Month, the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) encourages the public to nominate an African American inventor for consideration in their Class of Inductees.
They are also encouraging the public to nominate Dr. Patricia Bath by clicking here.
