Despite its cultural setting within the Jim Crow South, Lincoln Hospital developed and thrived due to a complex web of inter- and intraracial cooperation.

[5] Leaders of these organizations exhibited social dexterity in maintaining good relations between blacks and whites through these economic connections.

[7] Ben and James Duke gave an original donation of $8,550 for the hospital's construction in Hayti,[8] a black neighborhood in Durham.

The cornerstone read: With grateful appreciation and loving remembrance of the fidelity and faithfulness of the Negro slaves to the Mothers and Daughters of the Confederacy during the Civil War, this institution was founded by one of the Fathers and Sons: B.N.

For example, Dr. Max Schiebel, who worked at the hospital in 1944, joined the surgery department long before official integration of the medical staff in 1925.

Begun in 1921, the 21-member board was made up of one-third members selected from the white community, while the rest were appointed from African American leading institutions and families in Durham, as well as the local city and county governments.

[18] Reflecting the broad-based community support of and corporate pride in the institution, Durham residents frequently referred to Lincoln as "our hospital.

"[21] The original wood-frame hospital building, located at the corner of Cozart St. (Alley) and East Proctor St. and housing up to 50 patients, was damaged in a 1924 fire.

[8] Recruitment of additional funds initially meant to expand the original facilities allowed the immediate construction of a new building, which was completed in 1924 and opened on January 15, 1925.

[8] Consonant with its primary mission of patient care, Lincoln Hospital provided access to some of the best black physicians on the East coast through its departments of medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, and surgery.

[28] In addition to STI screening at birth, Lincoln also worked to reduce child mortality through postnatal and childhood care in the Well Baby Clinic.

Black mothers were encouraged to bring their children back for check-ups, to ensure that their babies were reaching growth and weight standards for their age.

In 1937, the infant death rate for babies under one year of age in Durham County was reduced to 52.2 per 1000 live births among whites and 94.2 per 1000 among blacks.

While services were considered subpar in the early years of the hospital, Dr. Max Schiebel (Chief of surgery, 1944–1971) revitalized the program by raising standards and providing surgical expertise.

[32] The Leonard school closed in 1918, limiting local opportunities for black medical education and spurring Lincoln to establish its own training programs.

Partnerships with Duke, Watts, and other hospitals in North Carolina ensured a steady supply of residents for Lincoln's education programs.

The Lincoln Nursing School (1901–1976) drew young African American women to its well-regarded program throughout the hospital's tenure.

[38] The hospital maintained accreditation with the NC Board of Nurse Examiners until loss of patients compromised the school's clinical program in the 1960s.

[34][39] Pediatric, orthopedic, internal medicine, surgery, and ob-gyn residents, primarily from Duke University medical school rotated through Lincoln from 1930 into the late 1960s.

A joint proposal for Federal funding to expand both Lincoln and Watts Hospitals was submitted to the North Carolina Medical Care Commission in 1950.