Doctors Encourage Minority And Disadvantaged Students To Overcome Obstacles, Become Physicians

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 06 Nov 2009 - 3:00 PST

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"Work hard and persevere, and you can achieve most anything." That was the message of approximately 50 minority physicians and medical students to more than 450 minority and disadvantaged students Thursday in Houston.

The doctors described how they overcame obstacles to work in the medical field, at the Doctors Back to School Program held at Houston's Jack Yates Sr. High School. The event was coordinated by the Harris County Medical Society (HCMS), Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Association (TMA), American Medical Association (AMA), National Medical Association (NMA), and Houston Independent School District.

The Doctors Back to School Program was created by AMA's Minority Affairs Consortium, whose main goal is to increase the number of minority physicians and eliminate minority health disparities. AMA is partnering with the Commission to End Health Disparities to increase the number of physicians and schools participating in the Doctors Back to School Program.

The goal of the program is to help students understand that minorities and people from disadvantaged backgrounds can and do succeed in medicine. Minority Americans lag behind white Americans on nearly every health indicator, including health coverage, life expectancy ,and disease rates. Studies show minority physicians are more likely to practice in underserved areas and care for minority, poor, underinsured, and uninsured people.

"The lack of diversity in America's physician workforce can adversely affect patients as many tend to seek physicians that are most like themselves," said AMA President J. James Rohack, MD. "Children of all ethnic and racial backgrounds should be encouraged to consider a career in medicine. Our country already faces a shortage of physicians, with the problem only to become worse in future years - increasing the need to inspire a new generation of physicians and others in health care."

The morning began with an assembly featuring Dr. Rohack, a cardiologist from Temple, Texas; TMA President and former HCMS President William H. Fleming III, MD, a Houston neurologist and the first African-American president of TMA and HCMS; and NMA President Willarda Edwards, MD, an internist who practices in Baltimore, Md. The three encouraged the students to follow their dreams, despite challenges they may face.

"You can achieve, you can succeed. No matter who you are, what you are, or where you came from, as long as you work hard, set goals, and make some sacrifices, you can succeed - you can become a physician and help people," said Dr. Fleming.

Following the assembly, the 50 physicians and medical students split up to join the students in their classrooms for breakout sessions. Participating in the discussions was Edith Irby Jones, MD, who in 1948 broke racial barriers and made national news when she became the first African-American to attend the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. She received her medical degree in 1952.

"If you decide you want to do it, and if you are persistent, you will do it," she told the students. Dr. Jones described how she overcame obstacles including discrimination, poverty, and being raised without a father. "I never accepted no for an answer once I set my goal to accomplish something," added Dr. Jones.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 44,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA's key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

The Harris County Medical Society is the professional society for physicians in Harris County. It is the largest county medical society in the nation, with a membership of nearly 11,000 physicians and medical students. Its mission is to be the leading advocate for its member physicians, their patients and the community, in promoting the highest standards of ethical medical practice, access to quality medical care, medical education, research, and community health.

AMA is the national association for physicians in United States. Its mission is to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

Founded in 1895, the NMA is the nation's oldest and largest medical association representing the interests of more than 30,000 African-American physicians and their patients. The NMA repeatedly advocates for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all people.

Source
Texas Medical Association