Finding a doctor who listens, understands your history and makes you feel seen can change everything about your care. For many Black patients, that search also includes a hope. They want a provider who shares their lived experience. The research backs up why that matters. In fact, studies link greater representation of Black physicians to longer life expectancy and better preventive care. Yet Black women remain one of the most underrepresented groups in medicine. As a result, the work of the doctors on this list matters even more.

Fortunately, St. Louis is home to a remarkable community of Black female doctors. They practice across specialties, from delivering babies to leading public health. Each physician below has earned real distinction. Together, they bring decades of service, academic leadership, board certification and a deep commitment to their community.

What is the best hospital in St. Louis?

When it comes to overall adult care, Barnes-Jewish Hospital ranks as the best hospital in St. Louis. It partners with Washington University School of Medicine. Year after year, U.S. News & World Report ranks it No. 1 in Missouri. The hospital also earns national rankings in roughly a dozen adult specialties. That places it among the country’s elite academic medical centers.

Of course, the region offers other strong options too. Mercy Hospital St. Louis and the SSM Health hospitals both win national recognition for quality and patient experience. Meanwhile, St. Louis Children’s Hospital regularly ranks as the top pediatric hospital in the state. Ultimately, the best hospital depends on your needs. So it helps to match the institution to the specialty and the physician you want.

How do you find a really good doctor?

Finding the right doctor takes more than a quick online search. First, confirm board certification, which shows that a physician has met rigorous national standards. Next, check hospital affiliations, since privileges at a top institution can reflect a physician’s standing. Then ask about experience with your specific condition. You should also read verified patient reviews and confirm whether the doctor takes your insurance and new patients.

Referrals from people you trust often make the most reliable starting point. Locally, the Mound City Medical Forum, the area’s organization of African American physicians, can also help. Finally, pay attention to how you feel during a first visit. A good doctor listens, explains your options clearly and treats you as a partner in your care.

“Area directories are an excellent starting point,” explains Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD. “Whether you are seeking a Family Medicine doctor for general care, a Nutritionist or Dietitian for personalized dietary guidance, a Dermatologist for skin health, a Gynecologist for reproductive wellness, a Psychologist or Psychiatrist for mental health support, a Pediatric Endocrinologist, a Naturopathic provider, or a trusted Dentist, directories make it easier to find the right specialist near you. Their mission is to connect you with knowledgeable and compassionate providers who understand the complexities of hormone and mood-related conditions, and who offer both traditional and integrative approaches to care.”

Choosing a physician who understands your background is not only about comfort. It can also affect outcomes. For example, a 2023 study in JAMA Network Open examined Black representation in primary care. Researchers found that a 10% increase in a community was associated with roughly a 30-day gain in life expectancy among Black residents, as well as lower mortality.

In addition, other research shows that Black patients with Black physicians are more likely to receive recommended preventive screenings. So when you advocate for care that sees the whole you, you invest in your long-term health.

1. Dr. Jade James-Halbert

Board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and St. Louis native.
Holds both an MD and a Master of Public Health.
Community leader and advocate for women’s health.

Dr. Jade James-Halbert is a board-certified OB/GYN and a proud St. Louis native. She also chairs the obstetrics and gynecology department at SSM Health DePaul Hospital. For more than 25 years, she has cared for women across the region. First, she earned her undergraduate degree at Fisk University. Then she completed medical school at Meharry Medical College and an OB/GYN residency in New York before returning home.

Her Master of Public Health reflects a focus on the social factors that shape health. In addition, she serves on the St. Louis Regional Health Commission’s Provider Services Advisory Board. As a past president of the Mound City Medical Forum, she also helped organize the area’s first gathering of Black women physicians. Speaking about the region’s maternal health crisis, she stresses that progress takes everyone, noting that it takes all of us.

2. Dr. Carolyn Pryor

Board-certified OB/GYN and Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Has practiced in North St. Louis County since 1993.
Founder of Serenity Women’s Healthcare in Old Town Florissant.

Dr. Carolyn Pryor is a board-certified OB/GYN who has served North St. Louis County since 1993. That long tenure makes her one of the most established women’s health physicians in the area. She earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. After that, she completed her residency at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. A Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, she founded Serenity Women’s Healthcare. Today she also serves as medical director of maternal services for SSM Health St. Louis and of the OB Care Center at SSM Health DePaul Hospital.

Throughout her career, she has focused on communities that often go underserved in women’s and maternal health. Her mission stays simple. She wants to lower barriers to care and help reduce maternal and infant mortality.

3. Dr. Trina Blythe

Pediatrician with more than 20 years of experience.
Assistant professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine.
Consistently named to the Best Doctors list by her peers.

Dr. Trina Blythe is a pediatrician with more than 20 years of experience. She also co-founded Way to Grow Pediatrics in O’Fallon, part of BJC Medical Group of Missouri. She earned her medical degree from Albany Medical College and finished her residency at Albany Medical Center Hospital. In addition, she holds an appointment as an assistant professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine. Her peers consistently name her to the Best Doctors list. She also works with leading institutions, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Beyond the clinic, she shares parent-friendly health advice through articles and videos. Her topics range from childhood asthma to healthy eating. As she puts it, at ChildrensMD, caring for children is a challenge and a privilege. Families say that approach shows in the way she listens.

4. Dr. Marilyn Maxwell

Board-certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics.
Professor and assistant dean of admissions at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Repeatedly named to the Best Doctors and Castle Connolly Top Doctors lists.

Dr. Marilyn Maxwell holds board certification in both internal medicine and pediatrics. That dual training lets her care for patients across the lifespan. She earned her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. There, she also completed a combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency. Over more than 40 years, she has built a wide-ranging career. Beyond the bedside, she serves as a professor, assistant dean of admissions and director of the internal medicine-pediatrics residency program at SLU. In that role, she helps shape the next generation of physicians. She also practices with SLUCare Physician Group and works at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. Notably, her peers have named her to the Best Doctors in America list since 2002. She has also served as a contributing editor on widely used child and family health resources.

5. Dr. Kanika Cunningham

Family medicine physician and St. Louis native.
Director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.
Member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Dr. Kanika Cunningham is a family medicine physician and St. Louis native. She has built her career around primary care for urban and under-resourced communities. She earned her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where she joined the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. For years, she provided comprehensive, all-ages care through Family Care Health Centers. There, she rose to the position of associate medical director. In addition, she has served as clinical faculty in SLU’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Today, she leads the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. In that role, she works to expand access to primary care and reduce health inequities for communities of color.

6. Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis

Infectious disease physician and nationally recognized public health voice.
First Black woman physician to serve as director of health for the City of St. Louis.
Leader on HIV and health equity initiatives.

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis is an infectious disease physician. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she became one of the most recognizable medical voices in St. Louis. Born in Zimbabwe, she earned her medical degree from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. She also holds a Master of Public Health from Case Western Reserve University. After that, she completed an infectious disease fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine, with extra training in HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

In 2021, she made history as the first Black woman physician to lead the City of St. Louis Department of Health. She held that role until 2025. Today, she is known for her work on the Fast-Track Cities initiative and her advocacy on health equity. Throughout, she has centered marginalized communities. She often stresses that mistrust of the medical system among Black and Brown patients runs both historically and ongoing.

Bottom line

St. Louis is home to a deep bench of accomplished Black female doctors. Together, they practice across women’s health, pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine and infectious disease. Whether you need a primary care physician, an OB/GYN, or a pediatrician for your child, these providers deliver real expertise. They also pair board certification and years of experience with a genuine commitment to their community. Ultimately, finding a doctor who understands you is one of the most powerful steps you can take for your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What city in America has the best healthcare?

Rankings vary by methodology, but WalletHub‘s 2025 analysis named New Hampshire the top state for healthcare overall, while many experts point to metro areas such as Boston, Baltimore and Rochester, Minnesota as leading centers of medical excellence.

Is St. Louis a medical hub?

Yes, St. Louis is a major medical hub, home to Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Saint Louis University and a large concentration of nationally ranked hospitals and research institutions.

Citations

Association of American Medical Colleges. 2025 Key Findings: U.S. Physician Workforce Data Dashboard. AAMC. Published 2025. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/data/2025-key-findings

Snyder JE, et al. Black Representation in the Primary Care Physician Workforce and Its Association With Population Life Expectancy and Mortality Rates in the US. JAMA Network Open. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10295710/

U.S. News & World Report. Best Hospitals near St. Louis, MO. U.S. News & World Report. Published 2025. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/saint-louis-mo

WalletHub. Best & Worst States for Health Care (2025). WalletHub. Published July 28, 2025. https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-worst-health-care/23457

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