In 2013, I took a stand for something that I felt was incredibly important. It started as a simple video (that’s the image attached to this blog post) I made with my brother, a medical school buddy, and me on my cell phone. I called it Black Men In White Coats, and it was a response to an article that had caught my attention. Dr. Marc Nivet had commented that the number of Black men applying to medical school in 2011 was less than in 2002. As someone who had always been passionate about medicine, this news alarmed me, and I knew I had to do something about it.
At the time, I was a resident physician at Duke who had limited resources, but was determined to make a difference. So, I put together that simple video and shared it online. The response was overwhelming. People were sharing it, talking about it, and most importantly, they were inspired by it. It became clear to me that this was something much bigger than I had initially imagined.
Fast forward 10 years, and Black Men In White Coats has evolved into a strong national movement. We now have summits, podcasts, nearly 50 local chapters and counting, and even an award-winning documentary. But why did I go through all this effort? The answer is simple: representation matters.
We need more Black male doctors for a variety of reasons. Firstly, better patient care. When patients see a doctor who looks like them, it creates a sense of comfort and trust. This, in turn, can lead to better communication and understanding between the patient and the doctor. Additionally, Black men have some of the worst health outcomes of any demographic group in the United States. Having more Black male doctors means that they will be better equipped to address the unique challenges and obstacles that Black men face when it comes to accessing healthcare.
Secondly, better innovation in research. Diversity in the medical profession brings diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Black male doctors bring unique experiences and perspectives that can help drive innovation and discovery in medicine and healthcare.
Finally, more role models for the next generation. Black male doctors can serve as role models and mentors for young men/women of color and beyond, inspiring them to pursue careers in medicine and other health-related fields. The more representation we have, the more we can create a pipeline of diverse talent that can help address the disparities in the medical profession.
In conclusion, the Black Men In White Coats movement is more important now than ever before. The lack of diversity in the medical profession has far-reaching implications for patient care and health outcomes. By increasing representation and creating more opportunities for Black men to pursue careers in medicine, we can begin to address the health disparities that disproportionately affect Black communities. Representation matters, and Black Men In White Coats is working to create a healthcare system that is truly reflective of the diverse communities it serves.
