Throughout history, Black doctors have been instrumental in key advances in the medical field. For example, James McCune Smith, MD and Charles Richard Drew, MD broke down barriers for future generations of Black doctors.
Ahead, we discuss the importance of representation in the medical field and organizations that seek to increase the number of Black doctors, such as Black Men in White Coats (BMWC). In addition, we cover the work of philanthropist Robert F. Smith to support critical medical research for communities that often lack access to resources and opportunities.
The Importance of Representation in the Medical Field
Increasing the number of Black doctors is critical to sustaining representation in medicine. Fewer than 6% of active physicians in the U.S. are Black. Mississippi, for example, has fewer than 600 Black doctors. We must increase the number of Black doctors to sustain representation in medicine.
Increasing representation in the medical field is more than just diversity for diversity’s sake. More Black doctors can help address racial inequity for Black patients. According to a JAMA Network Open Medical Journal study, the life expectancy of Black Americans is longer when Black primary care physicians are available. In addition, a study by Stanford Health Policy concluded that Black male patients were more likely to seek care when seen by a Black doctor.
It is crucial to make sure future Black doctors have educational and networking resources. The need for more Black doctors was the catalyst for launching a new advocacy organization: BMWC.
Supporting Tomorrow’s Black Doctors: BMWC
BMWC, the brainchild of Dr. Dale Okorodudu, MD, partners with medical schools in the U.S. to bring awareness to the lack of representation of Black Americans in medicine. The organization’s primary method for doing so is through short documentary-style videos. In these videos, the Black doctors reveal their day-to-day duties as physicians and why they are dedicated to the profession.
BMWC chapter clubs and similar student organizations have become prevalent at universities and medical schools across the U.S. These chapters aim to inspire Black students and provide exposure and mentorship in the medical field. Some of the institutions with chapters include:
- University of Pennsylvania
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Duke University School of Medicine
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Baptist Health Sciences University
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo
The organization also hosts BMWCx Youth Summits to present different aspects of medicine to youth from communities that often lack access to opportunities. These locally organized events feature healthcare professionals and allow attendees to expand their networks.
Smith’s Support of the Medical Field
While organizations like BMWC work to increase representation and healthcare equity, community leaders like Smith are also doing their part. Smith strives to increase diversity in STEM fields, combat hurdles in access to preventative healthcare measures and medical treatments and address health disparities for Black patients.
For example, Smith works with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) to help reduce deaths from the disease via research and the development of an early detection test, the Smith Polygenic Risk Test for Prostate Cancer. The non-invasive test helps identify a patient’s lifetime prostate cancer risk using information from genetic variants.
Smith also helped launch the Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening unit. This unit provides state-of-the-art imaging to predominantly Black communities in New York City as a preventive measure while also encouraging early detection and treatment.
Stay up-to-date with Smith and the latest initiatives he supports by following him on LinkedIn.
