Dr. Kenneth C. Edelin was the first African-American physician to direct a major clinical department at Boston City Hospital when he was named Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1978, a position he held until 1989. Also, as Chairman and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine, he was the first to head a clinical department at that institution. In October 1989 he was elected President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, another first for an African-American.