Background
Sr., Robert Edward Dawson, was born on February 23, 1918 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States. Son of William and Daisy (Wright) D.
Sr., Robert Edward Dawson, was born on February 23, 1918 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States. Son of William and Daisy (Wright) D.
Bachelor of Science, Clark College, 1939. Doctor of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1943.
Intern, Homer G. Phillips Hospital, St. Louis, 1943-1944;
resident, Homer G. Phillips Hospital, St. Louis, 1944-1946;
preceptor, Duke Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, 1946-1950;
clinical instructor ophthalmology, Duke Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, 1968-1970;
private practice, Durham, 1946-1955, 57-88;
member attending staff ophthalmology, Lincoln Hospital, Durham, 1946-1955;
consultant ophthalmology, North Carolina Center U. Health Svc., Durham, 1950-1964;
chief ophthalmology and otolaryngology, Lincoln Hospital, Durham, 1959-1976;
member attending staff ophthalmology, Watts Hospital, Durham, 1966-1976;
member attending staff ophthalmology, vice president medical staff, Durham County General Hospital, 1976-1988;
medical director, Lincoln Hospital, Durham, 1968-1970;
lecturer ophthalmology, Lincoln Hospital School Nursing, Durham, 1948-1956;
clinical associate, Duke U., Durham, 1969-1975;
clinical assistant professor ophthalmology, Duke U. Eye Center, Durham, 1975-1987;
scholar in residence, Duke U. Eye Center, Durham, since 1991;
consultant in ophthalmology, Duke U. Eye Center, Durham, 1987-1989. Chair department opthalmology 3310th Hospital, Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Illinois, 1956-1957. Member North Carolina Advisory Committee on Medical Assistance, 1972-1985.
Member of advisory board North Carolina State Common for Blind, 1965-1975. Member Governor's Advisory Committee Medical Assistance. Regional surgical director Eye Bank Association American, Inc., 1968-1979.
Member Durham Council Human Relations, 1967-1969. Member President Committee on Employment of Handicapped, 1971-1979. Board directors Durham County Tuberculosis Association, 1950-1954, Better Health Foundation, 1960-1966, Durham Community House, 1966-1968, Lincoln Community Health Center, American Cancer Society, Durham United Fund, Durham County Mental Health Center, 1976-1979, Foundation for Better Health of Durham County General Hospital, 1975-1979.
Board directors, vice president National Society Prevention of Blindness. Trustee Durham Academy, 1969-1972, Durham County General Hospital. Life trustee Meharry Medical College.
Trustee emeritus North Carolina Center University, Mutual Savings & Loan. Member board management Meharry Medical College Alumni Association. Board associates Greensboro College, North Carolina.
Co-founder, chairman board directors Lincoln Private Diagnostic Clinic. Board visitors Clark College, Atlanta. Served as major, Medical Corps, United States Air Force, 1955-1957.
Fellow American College of Surgeons, Academy Ophthalmology. Member American Medical Association, National Society to Prevent Blindness (vice president), American Association Ophthalmology, Society Eye Surgeons, National Medical Association (trustee 1971-1980, president 1979-1980, Distinguished Service award 1983), Pan American Medical Association (diplomate), Old North State Medical Society (president 1966-1967), Durham Academy Medicine (president 1967-1968), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (life), Durham Business and Professional Chain, Chamber of Commerce, Meharry National Alumni Association (past president, Lifetime Achievement award, 2002), Alpha Omega Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha (past president, National Meritorious Service award, 2003), Sigma Pi Phi (president), Chi Delta Mu (president).
Married Julia Belle Davis, March 10, 1950. Children: Dianne Elizabeth, Janice Elaine, Robert Edward, Melanie Lorraine.