Sophie Womack

Who was Sophie Womack?

Sophie Jan Thompson Womack was an American physician, who broke boundaries in medical landscape for both women and African Americans. Her specialty was neonatology.

Womack was born in San Antonio, Texas to Clarence and Irene Thompson. She graduated from Howard University and Meharry Medical College. She received a master's degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She was vice president of medical affairs for Harper University Hospital and Hutzel Women's Hospital and a former division chief of neonatology at Sinai-Grace Hospital. From 2004 to 2006, she served as president of Detroit Medical Center's medical staff. She was the first woman and African-American to hold that position.

She was married to the Rev. Jimmy Womack, MD and they shared two daughters Brandi and Ashley.

Along with her husband, Womack formed The Coalition Inc. -- Circle of Hope, an organization that raised more than $1 million while promoting childhood health and well-being.