LaSalle D. Leffall Jr.

LaSalle Doheny Leffall Jr. was born on May 22, 1930, in Tallahassee, Florida, and raised in nearby Quincy, Florida, during the era of segregation. His parents, LaSalle D. Leffall Sr. and Lula Jourdan Leffall, were both educators and emphasized the value of academic excellence and perseverance despite racial barriers. His father was a professor of agriculture at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College (FAMU), and his mother was also a teacher. He completed his internship at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, followed by surgical training as an assistant resident in surgery at Freedmen's Hospital (1953–1954), assistant resident at D.C. General Hospital (1954–1955), and chief resident at Freedmen’s (1956–1957). Leffall then became one of the first Black fellows in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he trained from 1957 to 1959 under the mentorship of Dr. Jack E. White. While attending Howard, he met Ruth McWilliams, who was struck by his polite demeanor, intelligence, kindness toward others, and strong dedication to his studies. They married in 1956 and later had a son, LaSalle “Donney” Leffall III. ==Military service==

In 1960, Leffall entered the United States Army Medical Corps with the rank of Captain, M.C.. He was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas before being assigned as chief of general surgery at the U.S. Army Hospital in Munich, Germany. He completed two years of active duty and was later honorably discharged with the rank of Major. During his Army service, Leffall encountered racial segregation despite holding an officer’s commission. He recalled that, while stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas, he and three White colleagues went to a local movie theater. Although his White colleagues were allowed to enter, Leffall was denied admission solely because of his race. In a show of solidarity, his colleagues chose to leave with him. Leffall later described the incident as one of the most painful experiences of his life, underscoring the irony of facing racial discrimination at home while preparing to serve his country abroad. Military insignia Below are the official insignia representing his military rank and medical branch of service: ==Career, leadership, and honors==

After completing his surgical oncology fellowship and fulfilling his Army commitment, Leffall joined the faculty of the Howard University College of Medicine in 1962. and training nearly 300 general surgery residents. During his tenure, he launched the organization’s first national cancer disparities initiative, which addressed the rising cancer burden among African Americans and became a national model for equity in cancer care. and also led the Society of Surgical Oncology and the Society of Surgical Chairmen—breaking racial barriers and paving the way for underrepresented groups in surgical leadership. where he championed efforts to improve outreach, screening, and treatment access in minority communities. Appointed by President George W. Bush and reappointed by President Barack Obama, Leffall chaired the President’s Cancer Panel from 2002 to 2011, advising the White House on cancer policy, disparities, and national prevention strategies. In this role, he testified before Congress and federal agencies to advocate for stronger national cancer control policies. Key appearances included: • Addressing the House Subcommittee on Health in 2004 to present the President’s Cancer Panel Annual Report on barriers in the National Cancer Program. • Participating in the 2007 congressional forum, Reducing Health Disparities: Bridging the Gap, where he highlighted inequities in cancer outcomes and called for targeted interventions. • Providing expert testimony to the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on federal cancer control programs and minority health outcomes in 2003. Among his many honors, Leffall received the prestigious Candace Award for Science in 1983 from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. In 1984, the American Cancer Society awarded him its Distinguished Service Award, In 1995, Leffall’s former students and colleagues established the LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. Surgical Society at the Howard University College of Medicine to honor his impact as a mentor and educator. His enduring legacy also inspired the creation of the biennial LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. Cancer Prevention and Control Award, presented jointly by MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Intercultural Cancer Council. , where Leffall received an honorary doctorate in recognition of his leadership and contributions to medicine. ==The price of courage==

Mentorship played a consistent role in Leffall’s career. Dr. Wendy Greene, who trained at Howard University, recalled his reflections on what he called the “Grace Notes” of life—small but meaningful gestures that could enhance doctor–patient relationships. She noted that he emphasized the importance of listening not only to patients’ words, but also to the concerns behind them. Leffall’s professional approach emphasized discipline, attentiveness, and sustained involvement in patient care. His contributions focused on practice and teaching rather than public attention. ==Death, personal life, and legacy==

Leffall died of cancer on May 25, 2019, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Leffall; his son, LaSalle D. Leffall III, also known as "Donney"; his sister, Dolores C. Leffall. Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University and former mentee, reflected: ==In popular culture==

LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. is prominently featured in the National Library of Medicine’s Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons exhibit, which recognizes his groundbreaking career as a surgical oncologist, educator, and national leader. The exhibit highlights his role as the first African American president of the American Cancer Society, his chairmanship at Howard University College of Medicine, and his advocacy for cancer prevention and health equity. Through this national exhibition, Leffall’s enduring legacy is showcased as an inspiration for future generations of physicians and surgeons. ==Awards, honors, leadership roles, and fellowships==

Leadership roles Fellowships and awards Honorary degrees ==Selected publications==

• The Washington Post: Dr. LaSalle Leffall, Howard University cancer surgeon and medical educator, dies at 89 (May 29, 2019). Comprehensive obituary highlighting his leadership in major surgical and oncology institutions. • The Washington Post: The special spirit of the surgeon: Howard’s Dr. LaSalle Leffall by Jacqueline Trescott (February 16, 1979). Long-form profile celebrating Leffall’s surgical achievements, global outreach, and academic leadership. • The Washington Post: Surgeon Helped Howard University Grow (February 15, 2009). Article tracing Leffall’s institutional leadership and influence on medical education. • American College of Surgeons: LaSalle D. Leffall Jr., MD, FACS: Past Highlights (April 10, 2025). Profile documenting his presidency of ACS and pioneering efforts in surgical education and health equity. • The New York Times: Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall Jr., 89, Dies; Cancer Society’s First Black Leader (May 31, 2019). Landmark obituary recognizing his historic roles in national surgical and cancer organizations. • The Washington Post: LaSalle Leffall, first black leader of American Cancer Society, dies at 89 by Bart Barnes (May 29, 2019). Obituary reviewing his academic contributions and organizational leadership. • Howard University Newsroom: Passing of Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. (May 31, 2019). Official announcement commemorating his decades of mentorship, public service, and medical excellence. • The Cancer Letter: LaSalle D. Leffall Jr., one of only five surgeons in history to have served as president of both the American Cancer Society and the American College of Surgeons (May 31, 2019). Policy obituary documenting his leadership across surgical oncology societies. • Susan G. Komen Foundation: Susan G. Komen mourns the passing of Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. (May 27, 2019). Tribute honoring his contributions to cancer research, education, and advocacy. ==Further reading==

Legend May 22, 1930 – Born in Tallahassee, Florida. ↓ 1948 – Graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in biology from Florida A&M University. ↓ 1952 – Earned M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine, graduating first in his class. ↓ 1953–1957 – Completed surgical residency at Freedmen's Hospital. ↓ 1960–1961 – Served as Major in the United States Army Medical Corps at U.S. Army Hospital in Munich, Germany. ↓ 1962 – Joined faculty of Howard University College of Medicine. ↓ 1970 – Appointed Chair of the Department of Surgery at Howard University. ↓ 1978 – Elected first African American President of the American Cancer Society. ↓ 1983 – Received the Candace Award for Science from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. ↓ 1992 – Named the first Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery at Howard University. ↓ 1995–1996 – Served as President of the American College of Surgeons. ↓ 2001 – Received the inaugural Heritage Award from the Society of Surgical Oncology. ↓ 2002–2011 – Chaired the President’s Cancer Panel under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ↓ 2002–2007, 2011–2012 – Chaired the Board of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. ↓ 2005 – Published memoir No Boundaries: A Cancer Surgeon’s Odyssey. ↓ May 25, 2019 – Died of cancer in Washington, D.C., at age 89. ==See also==