Champaign, Ill. (Chambana Today) — A new chapter in local history will be permanently displayed downtown as the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail unveils its 23rd trail sign, honoring groundbreaking African American healthcare professionals who helped shape the region.
The public unveiling will take place on Wednesday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m. at 29 E. Main St. in downtown Champaign.
The new sign highlights several key figures in local medical history, including Dr. Henry E. Rowan, the first African American doctor to practice in Champaign-Urbana, who opened his practice on Walnut Street in 1914. It also honors Dr. Henry D. Ellis, a World War I veteran who later attended the University of Illinois School of Medicine, becoming the second Black physician in the community.
The sign also recognizes trailblazing Black women in healthcare, such as Vivian Grundy, who became the first African American accepted into a local nursing program in 1952. Additionally, it commemorates vital community health centers, including the North End Health Center, which evolved into the Frances Nelson Health Center, named after the woman who provided shelter and medical care to homeless African American children in the 1940s.
Sponsored by Carle Health, the sign emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring those who laid the foundation for more equitable healthcare in the region. “It’s our privilege to help recognize those who were foundational to building a more inclusive care experience both in our community and beyond,” said Jaymie Green, MSN, RN, Carle Health vice president of Patient Care and chief nursing officer at Carle Foundation Hospital.
This unveiling also marks the completion of Phase 1 of the Heritage Trail’s development. With eyes on Phase 2, organizers plan to continue expanding the trail as new research and funding become available.
The project is coordinated by the Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching the cultural and historical fabric of the greater Champaign County area. To learn more, visit https://experiencecu.org/foundation.
