National Library of Medicine acquires papers of sickle cell disease expert

The National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world's largest medical library, announced recently the acquisition of the papers of Charles F. Whitten, M.D., distinguished professor of pediatrics and associate dean of medicine emeritus at Wayne State University. Whitten passed away in 2008.

Whitten, an expert on sickle cell disease, spearheaded the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease, now known as the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. As a major organizer of sickle cell programs, Whitten developed educational materials and approaches to problems stemming from the disease, particularly the psychosocial support that afflicted patients needed.

"This is a wonderful recognition of the great life's work of Dr. Whitten," said Joseph Dunbar, Ph.D., associate vice president for research at WSU. "Dr. Whitten's contributions have helped physicians and the research community take steps in understanding as well as managing the disease. Because of his efforts to spearhead national programs, patients with the disease and the community are better-informed."

Whitten served as chief of pediatrics at Detroit Receiving Hospital, earning him the distinction of being the first African American to head a department in a Detroit hospital. He was among the founders of the African Medical Education Fund that for more than 25 years offered financial assistance to any qualified African American or African medical student who agreed to provide medical service in Africa.

Sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide and is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 100,000 Americans. The disease occurs in approximately 1 in 500 African Americans births.