Roland Pattillo Death: The medical community lost a pioneer and true advocate with the passing of Dr. Roland A. Pattillo in his residence in Newnan, a suburb of Atlanta, on May 3, 2023, at the age of 89. His unannounced departure at the time signified the conclusion of an era committed to advancing the ideals of Henrietta Lacks and fostering understanding between the scientific community and the general public.
Late in September, an article in The Nation magazine exposed the demise of Dr. Pattillo. The aftermath will have a profound impact on the medical and social justice communities.
Roland Pattillo Death: A Life Devoted to Honoring Henrietta Lacks
Renowned gynecologic oncologist Roland Pattillo devoted several decades to the study and treatment of malignancies affecting the female reproductive system. However, one narrative—the extraordinary tale of Henrietta Lacks—continually troubled him. Despite her untimely death from cervical cancer in 1951 at the hands of Henrietta, a destitute African American woman, her cells, which became the HeLa cell line, proliferated and left an indelible mark on medical history. These cells aided in the development of numerous medical innovations, such as the polio vaccine and HIV treatments.
The exploration of HeLa cells by Dr. Pattillo commenced during his tenure as a graduate student. Additionally, he held the position of fellow at the Johns Hopkins laboratory in Baltimore, the initial site of HeLa cell culture. What distinguished him from numerous other scientists was his steadfast concentration on Henrietta Lacks, the individual responsible for those extraordinary cells—a betrayal of a family member. Dr. Pattillo harbored a profound sense of obligation to pay tribute to her scientific contributions and to reunite her family.
During the early 1990s, Dr. Pattillo matriculated at the historically Black Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. He organized and dedicated a symposium there on HeLa cells in honor of Henrietta Lacks. The symposium, initially designed as a singular occasion, has progressed into a yearly assembly. At the inaugural event held in 1996, the issue of unequal survival rates between black and white cancer patients was addressed. Dr. Pattillo effectively petitioned the mayor of Atlanta to officially designate October 11th as Henrietta Lacks Day.
Additionally, Dr. Pattillo endeavored to include Henrietta’s family in the occasion. He approached Deborah Lacks, Henrietta’s daughter. Throughout her lifetime, Lacks had harbored apprehensions regarding her mother and the enduring impact she had made. In addition to paying homage to Henrietta, Dr. Pattillo sought to be the first scientist to inform Deborah of the truth regarding the circumstances surrounding her mother.
Burt Young Cause of Death: All You Need to Know
An Advocate for the Family of Henrietta Lacks
Deborah Lacks, who had just turned two at the time of her mother’s death, had long yearned to comprehend the significance of the HeLa cells and her mother’s life story. In Rebecca Skloot’s 2010 best-selling book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” Dr. Pattillo played a pivotal role due to his profundity and dedication. He advocated for Deborah’s interests and granted her the due regard and esteem she merited in her capacity as Henrietta’s daughter.
Henrietta Lacks, a 30-year-old mother of five, had sought medical attention at the gynecology clinic of Johns Hopkins Hospital, an uncommon establishment that provided services to African American patients throughout the Jim Crow era. She was confronted with an exceptionally malignant cervical neoplasm that would ultimately be fatal.
George Otto Gey, a hospital cancer researcher who had been struggling with the challenging task of human cell cultivation for years, acquired some of her tumor tissue. Although Henrietta underwent cancer treatment, it was in vain; she died at the tender age of 31. On the contrary, the HeLa cells exhibited resistance to apoptosis and proliferated at an extraordinary rate.
Due to their tenacity, these cells acquired the appellation “immortal” after Dr. Gey christened them “HeLa” cells. Subsequent to their discovery, these cells made substantial contributions to the advancement of modern medicine, including the development of the HPV vaccine.
Deborah, a member of Henrietta Lacks’ family, detested and found the HeLa cells story to be perplexing despite the enthusiasm of the scientific community. Dr. Pattillo got in touch with them right away to allay their worries that Henrietta hadn’t received enough medical attention.
Rebecca Skloot, a graduate student in creative nonfiction and former veterinary technician, discovered a paper that Dr. Pattillo had authored in 1996 for the inaugural HeLa conference in 1999. This revelation motivated her to further explore the narrative of Henrietta. Dr. Pattillo, who was initially sceptical, ultimately consented to facilitate Skloot’s introduction to Deborah Lacks and was instrumental in ensuring that the individual confronted the family with authentic motives.
Dr. Pattillo offered counsel and assistance to Skloot during her endeavor to reveal the truth. He served on the board of the foundation that Skloot set up to help Henrietta Lacks’ offspring and other people who had been the subject of research without their permission with their educational and medical needs. He emphasized the significance of ensuring the story was factual.
Unfortunately, Deborah Lacks died in 2009, one year prior to the release of Skloot’s book. However, Dr. Pattillo maintained relationships with his family members until his passing. His support and presence imbued the family with enduring trust and compassion that transcended generations.
Shirley Lacks, a daughter-in-law of Henrietta Lacks, conveyed her appreciation by stating, “He established our family as a prominent entity. Had Deborah not communicated with Rebecca and Dr. Pattillo not engaged in conversation, the family’s understanding of Henrietta’s life and her contributions to humanity would have been considerably limited. In particular, I appreciate Dr. Pattillo’s mere presence for Deborah. Despite his composed demeanor, he maintained an unwavering conviction.
Luke Knox Cause of Death: Dawson Knox Paid Tribute to His Late Brother
A Legacy of Compassion and Advocacy
Roland Anthony Pattillo was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, on June 12, 1933. Rhena and James Pattillo, his parents, cultivated within him a profound sense of altruism and commitment. Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically Black Roman Catholic institution, granted him a Bachelor of Arts degree. Saint Louis University granted him a medical degree in 1959.
Following the completion of a fellowship in gynecologic oncology under the supervision of Dr. George Otto Gey at Johns Hopkins in 1967, Dr. Pattillo concluded his residency at Marquette University Medical School. Following this, he worked as a practitioner, researcher, and lecturer for the next three decades prior to enrolling at Morehouse School of Medicine in the early 1990s. The year of his retirement was 2013.
Providing Henrietta Lacks with a dignified tombstone was an additional measure of Dr. Pattillo’s dedication to commemorating her legacy. Together with his wife, Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo, they raised the necessary funds in 2010 to acquire a book-shaped slab of pink granite that currently serves as her final resting place. The inscription states, “Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) is entombed here.” Her immortal tissues will perpetually benefit humanity.
The legacy of Dr. Roland Pattillo is characterized by his unwavering commitment to bridging the divide between science and humanity, advocacy, and compassion. His efforts to ensure that African American women had access to healthcare and to make them feel heard and seen will continue to motivate future generations.
Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo, his wife, Dr. Pattillo has eight grandchildren in her wake. Additionally, Sheri Pattillo Johnson and Patrick, Mary, and Catherine Pattillo, his stepson, Todd Thomas, and Carolyn Pattillo Davis are his sisters. His previous union with Marva Parks ended in divorce.
Following his demise, Dr. Roland Pattillo imparts a lasting imprint—one characterized by compassion and an unwavering dedication to commemorating the life and contributions of Henrietta Lacks—one that will continue to influence future generations.
