Kenney, John A. (John Andrew), 1874-1950

John A. Kenney, an African-American physician, was a graduate of Hampton Institute and Leonard Medical School at Shaw University. From 1902-1924 he served as resident physician and director of Tuskegee Institute's Hospital and Nurse Training School and was a founder of the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital, also in Tuskegee. Forced to leave Tuskegee, Kenney relocated to New Jersey, and with his own money, built the Kenney Memorial Hospital in Newark, New Jersey to serve African Americans. This private hospital opened in 1927 and in 1934 Kenney converted it to a community hospital, renaming it the Community Hospital of Newark. Kenney was also the founder and editor of the National Medical Association Journal. The NMA is the largest and oldest organization representing African-American physicians in the United States. Kenney died in 1950 at age 67.