1988
Bio:
Alexa I. Canady, M..D. has dedicated her professional life to the care of children. She is currently director of neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and also has the distinction of being the only black woman in the country to be a pediatric neurosurgeon. She is described by colleagues as being immensely talented and deeply compassionate with her patients and their families. A gifted physician, Dr. Canady has progressed quickly in her profession. Graduating cum laude from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1975, she proceeded to serve her internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital and residency at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. She also completed a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia before returning to the Detroit area in 1982.
In addition to her current post at Children’s Hospital she is also on staff at William Beaumont, Harper-Grace, Hutzel, Sinai and Huron Valley Hospitals and is clinical instructor of neurosurgery at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine.
Dr. Canady has received a number of honors and awards for her professional achievement and commitment, including Teacher of the Year from Children’s Hospital, Woman of the Year from the Detroit Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, and the Candance Award of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She was also cited by the Women’s Medical Association and Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Society and was named as Outstanding Young Woman in America. In 1985, she received the Top 100 Business and Professional Women of America Award.
Dr. Canady’s commitment to healing children goes far beyond the day-to-day demands of her practice. She has made close to 50 presentations and authored numerous publications – the majority dealing with neurological illness, injury and trauma in children. She offers her time, service, and expertise to an extensive list of professional health care organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Detroit and Wayne County Medical Society, the Southeastern Michigan Surgical Society, the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Oncology Groups. Additionally, she is a member of the Child Abuse and Neglect Division of the Michigan State Medical Society, American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Michigan Head Injury Alliance. Dr. Canady also serves on the board of directors for the Institute of American Business and is affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., an organization of professional black women dedicated to public service.
Dr. Canady’s hometown is Lansing, Michigan. A recent newlywed, she and her husband, George Davis, currently reside in West Bloomfield.
Award was presented at the Works of Mercy Dinner September 8, 1988 by Maureen A. Fay, O.P., President, Mercy College of Detroit and Thomas V. Angott, Chairman of the MCD Board of Trustees and President of Pure Milk Co.