2007 Officers
Michael Howell, M.D.President
Anna Lizama, M. D.
Vice President
Cheryl Martinez-Smith, M.D.
Secretary/Treasurer
Founding Officers
Alfred L. Bookhardt, M.D.
Michael B. Butler, M.D.
Calvin Collins, Jr., M.D.
J. Mark Cox, M.D.
I. Sylvester Hankins, M.D.
Henry R. Jerkins, M.D.
James R. Smith, M.D.
George P. Schank, M.D.
George H. Starke, MD.
About the Founders…
Alfred L. Bookhardt, M.D.~ Internship at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, Graduated from Medical School at Howard University College of Medicine and he did his Residency at Veterans Affair Medical Center, Tuscaloosa.
Michael B. Butler, M.D. ~ Founding member.
Calvin Collins, Jr., M.D.~ Central Florida's quality, African-American newspaper, is published every Thursday and has a larger circulation than any other African-American newspaper in Orange county. Founded by Publisher, Dr. Calvin Collins and several of his colleagues, The Orlando Times opened its doors for business on July, 5 1975.
J. Mark Cox, M.D. ~ Dr. Cox led the community in the opening of the Guardian Care Convalescent Center in 1968. In the early 1970’s, he spent several months in Cameroon West Africa performing medical missionary work. Dr. Cox and his wife Elaine both served on the Interracial committee initiated by Mayor Carr of Orlando.
I. Sylvester Hankins, M.D.~ Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins was born in Orlando in 1895. Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins opened his medical practice in Orlando, Florida in 1926. He gradated from Howard Medical College and practiced in Orlando for more than 50 years. In 1974, Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins was honored for his civic work through the dedication of a 14-acre park in his name on Columbia Street at cost of $170,000.00. In 1994 the City of Orlando placed the first module building on-site to conduct recreational activities. In 2003, the City of Orlando began renovations of Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins Parks and by 2004 a new building opened. The rededication for Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins Park was held on January 24, 2004.
Henry R. Jerkins, M.D. ~ Founding member.
George P. Schank, M.D.~ Founding member.
James R. Smith, M.D. ~The Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center was built in 1983 and totally renovated with an addition of a south wing in 1996. The Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center is named after the late Dr. James R. Smith, a prominent physician from Aurora, Illinois. He received his BS Degree from Northwestern University in 1941 and his Doctorate of Medicine Degree from Meharry Medical College in 1948. Dr. Smith became the first black physician in Orlando to establish a maternity clinic for black women. Despite his flourishing medical career, Dr. Smith found time to better his community. Dr. Smith was one of the founders of the Washington Shores Federal Savings and Loans bank; the first establishment in the State of Florida founded and operated entirely by African Americans, which is now known as Metro Savings Bank. He was also the founder of the Washington Shores Association for Recreation, Inc. (W.S.A.R), a non-profit organization that offered similar programs to what the Smith Center offers today. Currently, the Frontline Outreach Center is located in the location of the old W.S.A.R. facility.
George H. Starke, M.D.~ Founding member.