William G. Anderson, a trailblazer in the American Civil Rights Movement and a longtime faculty member at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), passed away Sunday, Aug. 16.
From his civil rights work to his work as a surgeon, Anderson strived to improve the lives of others. Born Dec. 12, 1927, Anderson founded the Albany Movement, a coalition of activists that included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph D. Abernathy, leading to the desegregation of public facilities in Albany, Georgia.
Through his life, he continued to be instrumental in this work, including at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine where he started the lecture series that now bears his name, the Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series, “Slavery to Freedom,” designed to be a campus and community dialogue celebrating the history, heritage, struggles and triumphs of African Americans in this country.
“Dr. William Anderson was a giant, but he never made you feel small in his presence,” MSUCOM Dean Joyce deJong said. “He helped change this country, he changed osteopathic medicine and he left an indelible mark on our college. I was extraordinarily fortunate to know him, to learn from him and to call him a friend. We will miss him deeply, but we will be telling his story for generations.”
In the 26 years of the lecture series, it has brought living legends from the American Civil Rights Movement to share their experiences fighting for freedom, how they persevered and inspiration for all to participate in their own, personal way. Series speakers have included Barbara Ross-Lee, alumna of MSUCOM and the first African American woman to serve as dean of a U.S. medical school; Angela Davis; former U.S. Rep. John Lewis; and Cornel West.
“Dr. Anderson leaves a legacy of transformative service through medicine, institutional leadership and advocacy,” said Marita Gilbert, associate dean of Osteopathic Engagement and Community Practice at MSUCOM. “He was a champion for osteopathic medicine and worked to improve the lives of vulnerable communities. This is evident in his creation of the Slavery to Freedom Speaker Series, which is a hallmark of MSU’s programming. We are forever grateful for his vision and steadfast guidance to MSUCOM.”
During his career with MSUCOM, Dr. Anderson held a variety of positions, including professor of osteopathic surgical services and advisor to the dean. In these roles, he also served as a role model for medical students.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Alabama State University in 1949 and received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in 1956 from the Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery in Iowa. He began his professional career in Albany, where he practiced as a family physician.
He is the first African American to become a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association, or AOA, and to also serve as president. Among his awards, Dr. Anderson earned the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Robert A. Kistner Award in 2020. Robert A. Kistner served in the field of osteopathic medical education for 26 years at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and dedicated his career to advancing the profession. The award is presented to an individual who continues Kistner’s legacy of making significant contributions to the medical education of future osteopathic physicians.
Dr. Anderson established the AOF (American Osteopathic Foundation) William G. Anderson, D.O., Scholarship Fund in 1998. The fund annually recognizes osteopathic medical students who are committed to osteopathic principles and practices, excel academically and have proven to be leaders in addressing educational and societal barriers, as well as addressing health care needs of minority populations. He also established the Norma L. Anderson Endowed Scholarship at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012 and continued to support the fund throughout his life. The endowed scholarship supports MSUCOM students who have graduated from high school in the Detroit area.
Dr. Anderson will long be remembered for his legacy in osteopathic medicine and civil rights. He is survived by five children, three of whom are osteopathic physicians, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
This story originally appeared on the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
