Roett Family Collection

Dr. Catherine Roett was born in 1923 in Houston, Texas. Her father was Dr. Rupert Roett and he was one of the founders of a full service hospital that served Houston's black community in 1927 (currently known as Riverside General Hospital).

She studied pediatrics at Howard University's College of Medicine and gradated in 1946. Her residency was at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Upon her return to Houston, she became the first black pediatrician in the city. She was admitted and served on both the staffs of Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. This was noteworthy at the time because this was several years before integration and desegregation took effect in the American landscape. Her contributions were numerous. She administered care to hundreds of children, especially underserved African American children of the Third Ward. She served as chief of pediatrics at both Riverside General and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. She established and ran the well-baby clinic at Riverside General, was a charter board member of the Harris County Children’s Protective Services, belonged to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Harris County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, and Lone Star State Medical Association.

Apart from her contributions and professional affiliations she was known to go to hospitals and visit the sick in her spare time. For her contributions and spirit of service to the community she received many accolades. In 1985 the Radcliffe Club of Houston named her a “Woman of Courage” and the following year she was inducted into the Texas Black Women’s Hall of Fame at the Museum of African American Life and Culture in Dallas. In 1987, Houston’s March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation named its first service award in her honor. The award, which is given to recipients whose contributions lower infant mortality and birth defects, still bears her name.

Besides being active within her profession and community, she was an active member of her church, St James Episcopal Church, located in Houston’s Third Ward. She participated in many roles and was director of the Altar Guild. Dr. Roett died on August 29, 1997.