The Impact of Patricia Bath

You're looking at a piece I created in honor of Dr. Patricia Bath for Black History Month. She was a figure whose work sits at the intersection of medicine, innovation, and equity. I came across an article about her concept of community ophthalmology, and it led me down a path of researching racial and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare. Her legacy really stuck with me, especially her belief that eyesight is a basic human right.

Dr. Bath was the first African American woman to receive a medical patent for her invention of the Laserphaco Probe, which revolutionized cataract surgery. I wanted to tell that story visually, with a focus on both her medical achievements and her deep care for underserved communities.

I handled the full creative direction on this project; everything from research and scriptwriting to visuals and editing. The biggest challenge was striking the right balance between honoring her technical brilliance and showing the human heart behind her work. It’s easy to get lost in the medical jargon or historic timeline, but I wanted this piece to feel intimate, accessible, and inspiring; especially to young viewers of color.

It’s one of those projects that reminded me why I love storytelling: there’s something powerful about illuminating the lives of real people who shaped the world for the better, often without the recognition they deserve. This one was all about celebrating Black excellence, innovation, and care.