BoricuaReceipts
People + Culture

El médico que Columbia rechazó

Before José Celso Barbosa became a familiar political name, Columbia rejected his medical-school application through a race-based admissions decision. Michigan admitted him, and he graduated in 1880 as valedictorian.

Published on YouTubeSource packet ready

Receipt Spine

  • Michigan Medicine documents Columbia's race-based refusal, Michigan admission, and Barbosa's 1880 valedictorian graduation.
  • University of Michigan Medical School identifies Barbosa as the first Puerto Rican to earn a medical degree from any continental U.S. university.
  • Bentley Historical Library supports the Columbia, Ann Arbor, and Puerto Rico return trail.
Receipts

Sources

Michigan Medicine: From Puerto Rico to the U-M Medical SchoolUniversity of Michigan Medical School 175th Anniversary MilestonesBentley Historical Library: University of Michigan History Subject GuideLocal source packet: El médico que Columbia rechazóYouTube Short
Next

Check the receipts and keep exploring.

Each page keeps the public video and the source trail one click away.

Check sourcesFollow BoricuaReceipts