The face of the United States is changing. Latinos and African Americans make up about 30 percent of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and that number is growing.
For Michael Railey, MD, these rising statistics are concerning, given this nation’s persistent race-based disparities.
“America has always struggled with diversity and racism,” said Dr. Railey, an associate dean of the Multicultural Affairs office at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “We need to figure out ways to make this thing work. At SLU, we are trying to create a workforce that is a diverse workforce.”
With the pressing problem of health disparities, it’s increasingly important to support diversity and cultural proficiency among medical students, he said. This has been his task for the past five years as leader of the Multicultural Affairs office at SLU.
On Friday, April 25, Michael Railey will receive the 2014 Stellar Performer in Health Care Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon at the Frontenac Hilton.
“Like any endeavor, when you feel comfortable and accepted both academically and socially, your performance improves,” he said of medical professionals.
For the majority student population, often these comforting social and academic networks are already built in, he said. But for students of color, who make up only about 7 to 10 percent of the student population, it’s important to create a “community within a community.”
“For students of color, there are certain social pathways through interest groups that enable them to feel more comfortable in an environment where they are the minority,” he said.
Dr. Railey is also heavily involved with answering the challenge of cultural proficiency and health disparity in the St. Louis community. He serves as the co-chair of the African American Aldermanic Health Foundation, which focuses on improving community health in North St. Louis.
Dr. Railey frequently speaks in churches and community settings regarding stress management, obesity, hypertension, healthy aging and spirituality.
“I always felt that I had the purpose of service to the community,” he said. “I’ve always tried to align my employment with purpose.”
In 2007, Dr. Railey entered the public health field through the St. Louis County Health Department, where he served as director of research and medical operations. In 2010, he switched gears to the academic arena. He started leading SLU’s Multicultural Affairs office and became an associate professor of community and family medicine.
A St. Louis native, he graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1972. He went on to receive his MD from the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Medicine and completed his specialty training in the field of family medicine at the University of Florida Family Medicine Residency program.
After a year of volunteering with the National Health Corps, he moved on to community and group practices, which eventually led to a solo private practice in 1984.
One recurring theme in his life has been his interest in community service and family social issues. In 1992, he began teaching medical students and resident physicians in the family medicine program at Forest Park Hospital (formerly Deaconess Hospital).
This led to a clinical appointment with the SLU School of Medicine, where he served for seven years as director of the third-year training program for family medicine within the department of community and family medicine. He garnered local and national awards for his work teaching medical students and in community service.
As a product of St. Louis Public Schools, Railey said he has long witnessed health disparities in his community. There’s a direct connection between poverty and bad health, he said.
“When people don’t have money, they make bad health choices,” he said.
Providing more job opportunities, as well as education, will help improve health in St. Louis. However, the issue is complicated.
“This is a problem that can only be defeated,” he said, “if everyone pitches in.”
