Dr. Rose Delores Gibbs, who will turn 80 this year, continues to inspire with her dedication to healthcare. As the first Black woman to graduate from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 1973, Dr. Gibbs has had a trailblazing career that spans decades of medical service in the Lowcountry and beyond.
A Legacy of Overcoming Adversity
Dr. Gibbs’s journey into medicine began at a young age. Growing up in Moncks Corner, Berkeley County, she was inspired by Dr. Walter Evans, an African-American doctor who served the local community and became a mentor. Dr. Gibbs was particularly drawn to medicine after battling rheumatic fever as a child, which led her to seek medical care at MUSC’s heart clinic.
This exposure to the medical field sparked her interest, and she enrolled at MUSC after high school, despite facing discrimination and unfair conditions as a Black student in a predominantly white institution.
Challenges in Medical School
While Dr. Gibbs faced significant barriers as a student, she was determined not to let challenges define her. “I didn’t deal with them; I pushed them aside and stayed focused,” she recalled. She was committed to her studies, always keeping her goals in sight despite the adversity.
Service in the Peace Corps
After graduating, Dr. Gibbs joined the U.S. Peace Corps, serving as the Peace Corps medical officer in Freetown, Sierra Leone and Liberia, where she became the first Black woman to serve as the Peace Corps chief medical officer. She was responsible for the healthcare of Peace Corps volunteers in 55 countries during her six-year tenure.
Making an Impact at Home
Returning to the U.S., Dr. Gibbs opened the Berkeley Medical Center in Moncks Corner in 1986. She saw a significant number of patients struggling with serious health issues like cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, and hypertension.
Realizing the need for preventive care, Dr. Gibbs collaborated with local leaders to establish the Concerned Citizens for Better Health, an initiative that provided health education and resources to the community.
This initiative empowered individuals to take charge of their own health, teaching them how to monitor blood pressure, check for cancer symptoms, and improve overall well-being.
A Mentor for the Next Generation
After retiring from her own practice, Dr. Gibbs continues to serve the community as the medical director at Angel Oak Family Medicine on Johns Island, South Carolina. She works alongside Dr. Jackie Baer, providing mentorship and guidance for handling complex patient cases.
Dr. Baer credits Dr. Gibbs for teaching her the importance of listening to patients’ stories, a skill that has been invaluable in her practice.
Dr. Gibbs’s dedication to service and education is reflected in her efforts to help underrepresented students pursuing medical careers. Through an endowed scholarship in her name at MUSC, she is helping to provide medical school tuition for students from diverse backgrounds.
Dr. Gibbs’s Advice for Future Generations
Dr. Gibbs leaves the next generation of doctors and caregivers with powerful advice: “Take it as a challenge, but let a challenge become your strength. Work at it,” she says. Her words encourage perseverance and resilience, qualities that have shaped her remarkable career.
A Lifetime of Service
Dr. Gibbs’s career is a testament to the power of persistence, compassion, and service. She continues to inspire those around her, not just for her achievements, but for the way she has touched lives and shaped the future of healthcare in her community.
