Doctor group apologizes for snub of black physician

SPRINGFIELD -- Nearly 80 years after the organization denied membership to a black doctor, the Sangamon County Medical Society is apologizing for its action.

Because the medical society denied membership, Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew could not treat patients in Springfield hospitals.

The society rejected Kenniebrew's application in 1929. He later moved to Evanston and was admitted to the Cook County Medical Society. But when Kenniebrew returned to Sangamon County and applied for a transfer of membership in 1934, the medical society again ignored him.

Kenniebrew died in 1943. His son, Alonzo Kenniebrew Jr. of Waukegan, said the apology changes nothing.

Medical society president Dr. Eric Bleyer said the apology announced Tuesday mirrored action by the American Medical Association, which last month apologized for past exclusions of black physicians.