Edwin Harvey Hamilton, M.D., D. Min., age 91, of Plantation, FL passed away peacefully on January 31, 2022, surrounded by his children.
The youngest son of a Baptist Preacher, the late Reverend Eli Lenard and Lucille Grier Hamilton, Dr. Hamilton was born in Fort Myers, Florida on January 31, 1931. Baptized when he was six-years-old by his father, Edwin Harvey spent his formative years in the church. It was also at this tender age, his dream of becoming a doctor was cultivated by the gift of a medical book from the town’s only Black physician, Dr. Edward Everett Velasco. This background of strong religious upbringing and continual pursuit of medical knowledge formed the basis of Dr. Hamilton’s life.
An Ordained Clergyman, Medical Doctor, and former Chief of Surgery at Broward General Medical Center, the Reverend Dr. Edwin Harvey Hamilton exhibited a lifelong passion for the community, particularly the health and wellness of the African American community.
Fulfilling his destiny, Dr. Hamilton attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), Tallahassee, Florida on an academic scholarship, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry (magna cum laude). He completed his training to become a physician by earning a Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee. Years later, Dr. Hamilton returned as a Wyatt Tee Walker fellow to complete his Doctorate of Ministry Degree (with distinction) from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. In this way, he became a Surgeon Theologian, combining his life experiences as a Surgeon/Family Practitioner with this solid belief in the healing power of God.
With his holistic Body-Mind-Spirit approach, Dr. Hamilton actively practiced in the Fort Lauderdale area for over 50 years fulfilling his service to the community. During this time, in a series of historical and notable achievements, he was the “First African-American” to become President of the Broward County Medical Association (two terms), Chief of Surgery at Broward General Medical Center and President of the American Cancer Society of Broward County. He was the first African American Surgeon admitted into the Fort Lauderdale Surgical Society and the first African American surgeon granted privileges to operate at North Broward Medical Center (now North Broward Health) and Holy Cross Hospital.
Chosen as the first African American physician to join Leadership Broward, Dr. Hamilton saw the need to facilitate health-based activities without the limitation of bureaucracy. To this end, he founded the non-profit organization, Community Health Education Alliance (CHEA), Inc. designed to transcend the boundaries of denominationalism, faiths and persuasions. Dr. Hamilton believed that the most effective way to transform health is through “community partnerships” between faith-based and secular organizations.
Dr. Hamilton was an active member in Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society, and a Life Member of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the American Cancer Society and the Florida A&M National Alumni Association. He was also a Life Member of the Broward and Florida Medical Associations and an active member of the National Medical Association.
Never forgetting his spiritual roots, Dr. Hamilton became an ordained Minister and was an active participant of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church’s Health and Wellness Ministry. He preached on a variety of health and educational topics and held annual community health fairs, providing comprehensive health screenings to the community. In his pursuit to impart knowledge, both from a medical and spiritual perspective, Dr. Hamilton was a guest lecturer/visiting professor at Yale University Medical School, Meharry Medical College, Howard University, Hampton University Ministers’ Conference and the Progressive National Baptist Convention.
Dr. Hamilton was a veteran of the United States Army Medical Service Corps, having served actively as a First Lieutenant and later as a Captain in the Reserves. He authored The Health and Wellness Ministry in the African American Church—Preventive Health Education.
Wake: Friday, February 11th 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home 1305 N.W. 6th Street (Sistrunk Blvd.) Ft. Lauderdale 33311 (954) 467-3426
Funeral Service: Saturday, February 12th @ 10:00 a.m., First Baptist Fort Lauderdale 301 E. Broward Boulevard Fort Lauderdale 33301 (954) 527-6800
Interment: immediately following service Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery 1500 S. State Road 7 North Lauderdale 33068
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