By: Jordan Meadows | Staff Writer Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston, a pioneering physician, educator, and public health leader, dedicated her life to improving the healthcare of underserved communities, particularly minority and low-income families. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1939, Gaston grew up in a familial environment that valued determination and a commitment to social equality. Dr. Gaston faced numerous obstacles as a young girl, including racial prejudice and economic hardship.