The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital

The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital is a heart-stirring documentary that was released in the year 2018. It is a deeply engaging and inspiring true life narrative that takes the audience through the historical transformation of healthcare delivery and medical education for African Americans in the United States within the 20th century. Directed by Brian Mitchell, this movie features Julia N. Allen, Joanne Amusa, and Walle Amusa who help breathe life into this powerful story.

Set primarily in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, the documentary tells the extraordinary story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital, a chronicled institution that served as a beacon of hope and a symbol of pride for the African American community. The film's narrative is intertwined with that of Homer Garland Phillips, an African American lawyer committed to the cause of a racially segregated city in its fight to provide quality medical care to African Americans. The hospital named in his honor was to become a pillar and cornerstone for African American physicians.

The title reflects the narrative's core, invoking not just the color of people's skin, but also the color of the medicines and healthcare available during this period. It traces an era in history where discrimination was rampant, the struggle for equal rights was a daily fight, and where the color of one's skin ultimately determined the quality and access to healthcare.

Through breathtaking exploration, the documentary reveals how the hospital served not only as a haven for African Americans needing quality healthcare but also as a critical training facility for African American nurses and doctors. From 1937 to the late 70s, Homer G. Phillips Hospital trained the highest number of African American doctors and nurses in the world, becoming a first-rate medical institution that was nationally recognized.

The story is skillfully told through eyewitness accounts from past administrators, staff members, patients, and external community supporters. It also incorporates historical footage, interviews, photos, and archival materials, providing a well-rounded, visually engaging perspective on the struggles, victories, and legacy of Homer G. Phillips Hospital.

Beyond the historical narrative, the film also serves to address the continuing disparities and injustice in medical care for the African American community. Intermittently throughout the film, the viewers are taken back to the present day to highlight the continuing challenges within the healthcare system, serving as a stark reminder that the fight for equality in healthcare is far from over.

Julia N. Allen, Joanne Amusa, and Walle Amusa deliver emotive and passion-filled performances, weaving in their personal tales and connections to the hospital’s story. Their performances lend an emotionally charged tone to the narrative, enhancing the viewer's empathy and affinity for the characters, and deepens the understanding of the significant contribution made by Homer G. Phillips Hospital.

One of the particularly memorable aspects of the documentary is the exploration of the intrinsic link between social issues and medicine. Within this context, the film illustrates the legacy of this hospital as a symbol of African American engagement, advancement in medicine, and its struggle against racial segregation and prejudice.

The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital is an exemplary piece of work that merges history, social justice, and medicine into a harmonious narrative with a strong emotional core. As we are taken through the lens of the past, it's impossible not to feel the impact and relevance of this story to our present day. This documentary serves to enhance our understanding of monumental historical context that shaped the progress of the medical institution for African Americans.

Through this deeply moving narrative, the filmmakers have created a timeless snapshot of a significant part of American history and the rich legacy of African Americans in health services. It is not just a tribute to the triumphs of African American medical professionals of the past but a call to action for equitable future healthcare.