Donald Moore
Donald T. Moore, MD was an obstetrician who played a significant role as a pioneer in Duke Health’s history. In 1954, Dr. Moore completed his medical degree at Meharry Medical College, a historically black medical school in Nashville, Tennessee. He then trained at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology. In 1965, Dr. Moore moved to Durham, North Carolina, where he became the Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Dr. Moore was then offered a position at Duke by Chairman Roy T. Parker, who invited Dr. Moore to join the OB/GYN department at Duke, where he became the first African-American Fellow at the Duke School of Medicine. Dr. Bertram Walls, a former resident of Dr. Moore, says “[Dr. Moore] was a very, very gifted physician. He was a very eloquent dresser. He had great communication skills. He certainly could command the attention of anyone around him, including the patients that he took care of.” As an advocate for healthcare equity, Dr. Moore tirelessly addressed disparities in healthcare faced by minority communities, specifically African-American women. He recognized the importance of building trust and rapport with patients and establishing a foundation for effective and compassionate care. His daughter Dr. Karen Moore says, “He sat down with you and he talked to you. If you were scared about your surgery, he came to your house. And he sat down and he talked to you.” His efforts extended beyond his professional career where he was a dedicated educator. In addition to training numerous Duke residents, medical students, and nurses, he also supported Lincoln Community Health Center. Dr. Moore was the primary provider for the prenatal clinics, which ran in conjunction with the Durham County Health Department and Duke University. Dr. Karen Moore explains: “I think one of the biggest things that [my father] did was to make sure that Lincoln Community Health Center got off the ground and running so that we could keep that phenomenal [care from] the physicians that we had inside of our community.” For more than 20 years, he served as the head physician of the clinic and was the Director of the Family Planning Service. To honor Dr. Moore's extraordinary contributions, Duke University established the Donald T. Moore, MD, Endowed Lecture in 2021. This annual lecture series honors Dr. Moore's legacy and brings to Duke nationally recognized experts on topics related to healthcare disparities, access to care, and health equity. Dr. Moore's life exemplified the principles of equity, compassion, and dedication. His advocacy and commitment to improving healthcare for minorities continue to inspire future generations of healthcare providers and community leaders.
Interview 1: Bertram Walls
Bertram Walls, MD, is a former colleague of Donald T. Moore, MD. Dr. Walls was a resident when Dr. Moore was an attending.
Full Interview Audio:
Interview 1 Topic Log
00:02 Introductions 00:18 Recalls his initial meeting with Dr. Donald Moore 01:09 Description of the environment at Duke Medical Center and Durham 03:30 Perception of Dr. Moore among attendings and medical school students 04:46 Dr. Moore's personal outreach to black medical students 07:29 Discussion on Dr. Moore's approach to challenges and opposition within Duke Medical Center 09:56 Exploration of Dr. Moore's motivation for providing healthcare to underserved minority women; setting up clinics at Lincoln Hospital 11:48 Recounts his experience working at clinics established by Dr. Moore 13:39 Clarification about the clinics and their relationship to Duke Medical Center and Lincoln Hospital. 13:48 Discussion on the history of Lincoln Hospital; bridging Duke University and the black community 15:49 Description of Dr. Moore's relationship with the community 17:45 Reflection on Dr. Moore's mentorship beyond the clinical setting 19:15 Relationship with Dr. Moore after completing his residency 21:54 Discussion on Dr. Moore's advocacy for black excellence and mentorship of black students 24:29 Perception of Dr. Moore among white attendings and physicians 27:04 Discussion about the unique learning experiences under Dr. Moore's mentorship, including hands-on training and exposure to different approaches in medicine. 29:34 Reflecting on Dr. Moore’s lasting impact on himself and the community 32:19 Discussion on Dr. Moore's involvement in the community beyond his clinical work 33:08 Reflections on Dr. Moore's legacy 36:15 Dr. Walls expresses appreciation for the interview project and emphasizes the importance of preserving the legacies of influential figures for future generations. 39:06 Closing remarks and interview tasks
Link to Full Interview TranscriptInterview 2: Karen Moore
Karen A. Moore, MD, is the eldest daughter of Dr. Donald T. Moore. She is a graduate of the Duke School of Medicine class of 1984 and a current physician in Atlanta, Georgia.
Full Interview Audio:
Interview 2 Topic Log
00:01 Introduction 00:31 Connection to Dr. Donald T. Moore; Dr. Moore's family background 02:11 Dr. Moore's childhood memories and moving to Durham 03:12 Growing up in Durham during segregation; community involvement 06:46 Recollection of a lady bringing pies to Dr. Moore's father in exchange for surgery 09:01 Dr. Moore's father's involvement in community health services, including at Lincoln Hospital 11:43 Collaboration with other hospitals and community health organizations 13:45 Impact of Dr. Moore's father on her career choice despite initial reluctance 17:31 Awareness of adversity faced by her father as the first black fellow at Duke University, Duke Med 22:22 Discussion of racial dynamics in Durham and Dr. Moore's father's decision to move to Durham 30:40 Reflection on Dr. Moore's father's demeanor and legacy as a physician 33:20 Impact of Dr. Moore's father on Duke Med and the OB-GYN department 35:41 Potential advice Dr. Moore's father would give to aspiring young physicians 39:16 Emphasis on Dr. Moore's father's approach to patient care and legacy regarding community health centers 41:45 Conclusion of the interview with appreciation for gaining insights into Dr. Moore's father from both perspectives
Link to Full Interview Transcript