Pebley Center Collections - Harry Pelot McDonald: Career Highlights and Achievements

• One of Fort Smith's prominent Black doctors at Twin Cities Hospital
• First Black physician granted admitting privileges at St. Edward and at Sparks Hospital

• Treated indigent patients for twenty plus years at the Sebastian County Public Health Center

• Served as family physician in the Baby Clinic, Obstetrical Clinic, and later the Family Planning Clinic of the Sebastian County Health Department

• First member of his race to be admitted to the Sebastian County Medical Society and the Arkansas Medical Association

• Established a chapter of the NAACP and served as the local president from 1960-1975.  
• Organizer of many community activities for Blacks
• Successfully challenged Fort Smith Public Schools' initial integration plan

• Sued the local school district to force action toward a viable desegration plan and to speed up progress on integrating the schools. 

• Worked personally and with other community leaders to integrate theatres, restaurants, and some other public facilities in Fort Smith.  
• Service on Arkansas State Board of Education and the Arkanssa State Board of Vocational Education
• President of Progressive Men's Club in Fort Smith and in charge of many community projects
• Advocated for establishment of park (now MLK Park)
• Member of Arkansas state boards for education
• Responsible for helping Blacks gain  admission to the St. Edwards School of Nursing

• Established a chapter of the NAACP and served as the local president from 1960-1975.  
• Organized many community activities for Blacks
• Successfully challenged Fort Smith Public Schools' initial integration plan

• Sued the local school district to force action toward a viable desegration plan and to speed up progress on integrating schools.  

• Worked personally and with other community leaders to integrate theatres, restaurants, and some other public facilities in Fort Smith.  

• Served on Arkansas State Board of Education and the Arkansas State Board of Vocational Education
• President of Progressive Men's Club in Fort Smith
• Sponsored many cultural programs for the community 
• Advocated for renaming Elm Grove Park to Martin Luther King Park

                                          Harry Pelot McDonald and his family

In this undated picture, Dr. McDonald is seated on the front row, fourth from the right end.

Professional and Related Memberships held included the following:

• Sebastian County Medical Association
• American Medical Association
• Arkansas Medical Dental & Pharmaceutical Association
• Arkansas State Medical Association
• National Medical Association
• Twin Cities Hospital - Board of Directors
• Twin Cities Hospital Nursing Home Board
• St. Edwards Mercy Hospital Advisory Board to LPN
• St. Edwards Mercy Hospital - Joint Conference Committee and Medical Review Board
• Sparks Memorial Hospital —Charter and Board member of the Sparks Memorial Human Relations Council
• Sparks Memorial Hospital —Medical Review Board