Meet Dr. George C. Debnam, Dean of African American Physicians in Raleigh, Nc

 

The second of the African American Doctors who served our town is one of the most recognized physicians of the state, often referenced as the “Dean” of African-American physicians in Raleigh, Dr. George Clyde Debnam. Our association with this doctor derives from George Rogers of Fuquay Springs who met Dr. Debnam during a hospital stay and persuaded him to consider setting up a practice here.

Dr. Debnam took over Dr. Davis’ practice with offices first in back of Roger’s Soda Shop and then in the Davis building for some ten years duration. Much of his time and energy was given to citizens of our town, although the family always lived in Raleigh.

One of  fifteen children, George was born to James Otis and Cherrie Smith Debnam in Youngsville, North Carolina on November 5, 1927. An outstanding scholar, he enrolled at Shaw University at the age of 15. Graduating in 1947, Debnam then earned his MD from Meharry Medical College in 1951. He, too, interned at St. Agnes Hospital in Raleigh, 1951-54.

He began his practice in Fuquay Spring in 1954. During this time, Dr. Debnam served military hospitals including Womack Hospital located on Fort Bragg, NC. He worked in Fuquay as part of the staff at the Fuquay-Varina Branch Hospital briefly after it was established in 1960.

Eventually, Dr. Debnam opened the Debnam Clinic in Raleigh where he remained until retirement. Married to Marjorie Boyd, he was blessed to have her serve as clinic office manager. They are parents of three daughters. Gwendolyn is a Professor of English; however, the twin daughters, Marie Georgette and Marjoria Lynnette both graduated from Meharry Medical College. They joined their father at the Debnam Clinic in 1995.

When Dr. Debnam retired in 2001 after 50 years and 6 months (another source says 53 years) in practice, he had delivered 11,500 babies and performed more than 5,000 surgical operations. His distinguished career accrued many honors: President of the Old North State Medical Society, Doctor of the Year, Member of the Board of Trustees at Shaw University, a Trustee Emeritus at North Carolina Central University and Senior Physician at Wake Medical Center. In 1997, Shaw renamed the administration building the George C. Debnam Building.

Marjorie was an accomplished community volunteer and together the Debnams established “The Friends of Distinction”, a club to help young black men. Among Mrs. Debnam’s activities was work on breast cancer screening and after-school programs for black youth. She worked for 35 years with the YWCA, many years with Wake Opportunities, and was a leader in “Strengthening the Black Family, Inc.”

In the Independent, October 30, 1980, Dr. Debnam was quoted as “always having a special place in my heart for Fuquay-Varina.” At age 93, He remains an associate member of the First Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina.

In retirement, Dr. Debnam founded Debnam Publishing Company and authored his first book, God’s Gifts: Mothers. This volume was dedicated to Marjorie who died in 2004. Dr. Debnam has produced manuscripts of original material on his life, Shaw University, medical conditions, and West-African and African-American funeral traditions and other anthologies. He was quoted as saying, “I am trying to draw attention to things that appear to be forgotten” in interviews with Barry Saunders.

The museums staff hopes in this research to draw attention to things many readers may have never known as we honor these two medical giants.

Sources: Obituary of Davis, Find a Grave, files in the museum of Dr. Debnam, Independent, October 30, 1980, interview with Orlean Newton, Old North State Society documentation, WRAL November 25, 2014 and History of Fuquay-Varina.

Did You Know?

The Debnam Clinic is a private medical care practice that provides primary healthcare services for individuals and families who receive Medicaid and Medicare or don’t have a health care plan. As the clinic’s landlord, we play a huge role in this vital resource for families on their way to self-sufficiency. Moving the clinic from its old location on Blount Street to its new location in the Lincoln Park neighborhood has allowed the clinic to expand, serve more clients, and fulfill a community need.

Access to healthcare is a major issue for those living through poverty. Healthcare is expensive and usually located far from their community. Passage Home has worked with local sisters (who also happened to be amazing doctors) to bring a healthcare facility to the Lincoln Park section of Raleigh.

George C. Debnam has the distinction of being known as the “Dean” of African American physicians in Raleigh. After receiving encouragement from his professors at Shaw University, he decided to become a doctor – a career of service In the early sixties he founded the well-respected Debnam Clinic still in operation today and by the time he retired after fifty years of practice he had delivered over 10,000 babies. He is not only a strong supporter of health care but higher education. George has worked to promote higher education serving as a Trustee at Shaw University since 1964. He has tirelessly raised money to help keep its doors open and restore its historic buildings. George and his late wife, Marjorie, encouraged young African-American men to make good choices and to go to college and they even sent several men to college. George still devotes his time to health care and education by volunteering at the Old North State Medical Society and Shaw University.