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File #: 0130X-2017    Version: 1
Type: Ceremonial Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 4/25/2017 In control: Tyson
On agenda: 5/1/2017 Final action: 5/4/2017
Title: To honor, recognize and celebrate the work and service of Dr. Alexa Irene Canady - the first African-American female neurosurgeon in the United States.
Sponsors: Priscilla Tyson, Elizabeth Brown, Mitchell Brown, Shannon G. Hardin, Jaiza Page, Michael Stinziano, Zach M. Klein
Title

To honor, recognize and celebrate the work and service of Dr. Alexa Irene Canady - the first African-American female neurosurgeon in the United States.

Body

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexa Irene Canady was born in Lansing, Michigan, on November 7, 1950 to Mr. Clinton Canady Jr. - a dentist and graduate of Meharry Medical School and Mrs. Elizabeth Hortense Golden Canady, an educator who became the 18th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated; one of the most influential organizations in Black America; and

WHEREAS, Alexa’s parents, as a child, instilled with in her the importance of education, hard work, sisterhood, leadership, and service - which helped and inspired her to graduate from high school with honors and pursue a career as a Neurosurgeon; and

WHEREAS, Alexa received her Bachelors Degree from the University of Michigan in 1971; she then matriculated to the University of Michigan’s Medical school - graduating in 1975; and

WHEREAS, after medical school, Alexa moved to Minnesota to complete her residency at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Neurosurgery, where she finished in 1981, thus becoming the first African-American female neurosurgeon - in 1984 she completed her certification with the American Board of Neurological Surgery - becoming the first African American female to become board certified; and

WHEREAS, Alexa’s commitment to education, hard work, and service exemplifies excellence - during her stellar career she became known for her dedicated patient care and work in her specialty as a pediatric neurosurgeon; she also served as the Chief of Neurosurgery for Children's Hospital in Detroit Michigan from 1987 to 2001; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Canady’s achievements and career of service have landed her a number of honors - she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1989; she received the American Medical Women's Association President's Award in 1993, and many other accolades; and

WHEREAS Dr. Canady’s life a...

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