President Barack Obama's Irish American ancestors were pioneers in 19th century health care reform.

One of Obama's Irish American cousins Jackson Brown Baxley (1814-1896) founded the Maryland College of Pharmacy and succesfully lobbied for the registration of pharmacists.

He was the first commissioner appointed and the first president of the Maryland Board of Pharmacy.

The link was uncovered through Obama's 8th generation grand-uncle Thomas Kearney from Shinrone in County Offaly who married Sarah Baxley (1773 -1845) in St. Paul Church in 1890.

Sarah Baxley is the link to Jackson Brown Baxley and his brother Henry Willis Baxley (1803-1876) who graduated in medicine in 1824 and became the government inspector of hospitals in 1865.

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