This writer discovered that there are more than six sets of African American Identical twins who are medical doctors. Among them are Dr. Delana Wardlaw and Dr. Elana Warlaw-McDonald who have been practicing medicine in their hometown of Philadelphia for 20 years. It was when they were eight years of age that their grandmother died from breast cancer at 53 years of age. The twins realized when they became older that their grandmother likely died from lack of quality care in their Philadelphia community. Drs. Wardlaw and McDonald, with encouragement from their parents became determined to change that for the next generation and decided to become doctors. Dr. McDonald-Wardlaw, a pediatrician, said in an interview that she wanted to make a long-term difference in people’s lives, especially in her hometown.
The twin sisters graduated together from Central High School in Philadelphia, and later attended Temple University and Penn State’s College of Medicine. They live and practice in Philadelphia where they have practiced for 20 years. They are now 46 years of age. Dr. Delana Wardlaw is a family practitioner and Dr. Elana Wardlaw-McDonald is a pediatrician.
Their goal has been to give back to their community, which is in an underserved area, by giving the best health care possible and to educate the community, also. Since the pandemic, the twins have focused on COVID-19 by volunteering at test sites and addressing vaccine hesitancy among African Americans. In an interview with People.com, Dr. McDonald explains that, "We understand that it's very important for people to feel comfortable with those who are giving them medical information," she says. "And we know based on the history in the United States, a lot of people, especially African Americans, were uncomfortable with the medical establishment." During this same interview, Dr. Wardlaw said, "African Americans were disproportionately affected by COVID, and there is so much misinformation.” To confront it, the sisters, each of whom is married with two kids, share personal stories with patients. "I tell them I've taken the vaccine, my children have been vaccinated, and I trust the science," says McDonald.
(The interview mentioned was done by Stephanie Emma Pfeffer and Diane Herbst at People.Com, October 21, 2021, https://people.com/health/twin-sister-doctors-deliver-healthcare-and-co…)
The Friends of Dean Park, Inc., who sponsors the Black History Exhibit at the Winston County Library yearly, chose to display the Wardlaw twin sisters in the Black History Exhibit since the National Theme for Black History Month is Black Health and Wellness and since they give overtime back to their communty. The exhibit will be in the library until February 28, 2022. Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. If you would like a guided 30 minute tour, please come between 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2022.
