COVID-19 is killing our Black physicians.
The chances of replacing them with another Black physician is very slim. So, where does that leave us? Time Magazine recently published a piece by Dr. Torian Easterling that opened my eyes wide.
Like, wiiiiide open.
Dr. Easterling is the deputy commissioner for the New York City Health Department’s Center of Health Equity and Community Wellness. He wrote a beautiful opinion-editorial about how he fears for his life just as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other names that we do not know.
Black people have been fighting racism for hundreds of years and COVID-19 for only a few months. Yet, both have and will continue to damage our communities unless this country starts to course correct.
His major take?
The Black male physicians on the frontlines of COVID-19 that have sadly passed away will most likely not be replaced with another Black male physician.
But, I definitely want to take that a step further.
Although Dr. Easterling focused on Black men, we actually can’t afford to lose anyone. We can’t afford to drop in numbers because there are already so few us on both the men’s team and the women’s team. Black women only make up 2% of the physician force. There were more Black men matriculating into medical in 1978 than in 2014.
In total, Black physicians only make up 5% of the medical doctors in this country. Between COVID-19 and blatant racism that threatens our life, these doctors should be protected. But, it seems like these physicians are being tossed to the side.
At my own medical school, I can count the number of Black students that will be in my class on two hands.
So, why should you care about this?
Black patients who get treated by Black doctors have improved outcomes.
Even if the changes were put into place now, as Black millennials we might not see the fruits of our labor.
But, I’m down for getting more Black healers in the door so our future community can get the care they deserve from someone who:
- understands their struggle
- understands their culture
- sees their Blackness in all its fullness and beauty
How has having a Black doctor impacted your patient experience?
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