Delbert R. Wigfall Oral History Interview, 2024
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Creator:
- Wigfall, Delbert R.
- Abstract:
- Delbert R. Wigfall, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and former Associate Dean for Medical Education, was a colleague and close friend of Brenda Armstrong, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Dean of Admissions for the Duke University School of Medicine. This collection contains 1 oral history interview conducted on February 18, 2024 by Ava Meigs as part of the Bass Connections Agents of Change Oral History Project. In the interview, which primarily focuses on Armstrong as a pivotal figure in the history of the Duke University School of Medicine, Wigfall discusses Armstrong's beginnings in science and medicine, her experiences as one of the few Black physicians at Duke, her work as Associate Dean of Admissions, resistance to her racial equity initiatives, her reputation among patients, and her legacy within the Duke and Durham communities. The themes of this interview includes health equity, access to health care, fostering diversity, and community activism.
- Extent:
- 1 interview (1 transcript) and 606 MB
- Collection ID:
- OH.WIGFALLD
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Includes 1 oral history interview with Dr. Delbert R. Wigfall conducted on February 18, 2024 by Ava Meigs as part of the Bass Connections Agents of Change Oral History Project.
In the February 18, 2024 interview, which primarily focuses on Dr. Brenda Armstrong as a pivotal figure in the history of the Duke University School of Medicine, Wigfall discusses Armstrong's beginnings in science and medicine, her experiences as one of the few Black physicians at Duke, her work as Associate Dean of Admissions, resistance to her racial equity initiatives, her reputation among patients, and her legacy within the Duke and Durham communities. The themes of this interview includes health equity, access to health care, fostering diversity, and community activism. - Biographical / historical:
-
Delbert R. Wigfall
Dr. Delbert Raye Wigfall, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, received his medical degree from Emory University in 1979. Wigfall joined Duke as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (1988-1997). He worked in Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology. Previous appointments include Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics (1997-2001), Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics (2001-2006), Associate Professor of Pediatrics (2006-2010), and Professor of Pediatrics (2010-2023). During his tenure in the Duke University School of Medicine, he also served as Associate Dean of Medical Education (2000-2023).
Wigfall's research interests are in the diagnosis and treatment of secondary and inflammatory renal diseases, hypertension, and general nephrology. He was involved specifically in the treatment of childhood hypertension, infections, glomerulonephritis, secondary disease related to sickle cell anemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus. His previous basic training is in the area of complement mediated injury, immune cell aberrancies, and transplant rejection.
Wigfall met Dr. Brenda Armstrong in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke, and the two were colleagues and close friends.
Wigfall retired from Duke in 2023.
Brenda Armstrong
Dr. Brenda Armstrong was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on January 19, 1949. From a young age, Armstrong understood the importance of racial equity in medicine. Denied access to the segregated hospital in Rocky Mount, Armstrong's mother was forced to deliver her final pregnancy at home, where the baby, Armstrong's younger brother, sustained a cerebral hemorrhage that rendered him physically disabled. Armstrong cites these early experiences as the reason why she became a physician and dedicated her life to the pursuit of health equity.
Armstrong enrolled as an undergraduate student at Duke University in 1966. During this time, Armstrong helped establish the Afro-American Society, an organization dedicated to advocating for racial equity and fostering community among Black students at Duke. Through the Afro-American Society, Armstrong also played a pivotal role in the Allen Building Takeover, an event staged to force university action toward racial justice.
After graduating from Duke, Armstrong attended the St. Louis University School of Medicine, specializing in pediatric cardiology. In 1979, Armstrong returned to Duke as a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. In 1996, she became Associate Dean of Admissions for the School of Medicine, where she recruited some of the most diverse classes in the history of the School of Medicine. Her outreach diversified the School of Medicine, and, by extension, the practice and profession of medicine.
Outside of her work as a physician and administrator, Armstrong was heavily involved with several community organizations, perhaps most notably the Durham Striders Youth Association (DSYA). Among Armstrong's many roles within the DSYA, she served as Vice President, Board Member, Assistant Head Coach, Team Physician, Chaperone Coordinator, Newsletter Editor, and Meet Manager/Facilities Coordinator. She worked with the DSYA for 37 years, tirelessly nurturing students' physical health and academic success. Armstrong was also very involved with St. Titus Episcopal Church.
Armstrong died on October 7, 2018. - Acquisition information:
- Accession A2024.083 (transferred by Rebecca Williams, May 2024)
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Lucy Waldrop: December 2024
- Arrangement:
- Organized into the following series: Interview, February 18, 2024.
- Rules or conventions:
- DACS
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site.
- Personal Name(s):
- Wigfall, Delbert R.
Armstrong, Brenda E. - Corporate Name(s):
- Duke University. Medical Center
Duke University. School of Medicine
Student National Medical Association (U.S.) - Topical Term(s):
- Organization and Administration.
Education, Medical.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.
Health Equity.
Mentors.
Black or African American.
Health Policy.
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
-
Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
None.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Delbert R. Wigfall Oral History Interview, Duke University Medical Center Archives.