Every year when I return from the Annual Scientific Assembly of the National Medical Association, I often find myself spending a lot of time doing self-reflection. Is my career impacting others? Are my medical contributions worthwhile? Am I making a difference into the lives of our future African American physicians? After you meet dynamic women like Dr. Vivian Pinn, the first permanent director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the future CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine and the first African American female to lead an independent medical school, how could you not feel slightly inadequate in the presence of such legends?
This year’s conference was in Toronto, Canada, home of the famous CN Tower and the beautiful Niagara Falls. The scientific sessions provided five days of jam-packed lectures, discussions, and panels. Many of our best and brightest in medicine were in attendance including Dr. David Satcher, former Surgeon General, Dr. James Gavin, renowned diabetes expert, and past medical accuracy editor of the St. Louis American, Dr. Consuelo Wilkins. There was even a panel that included Amy Dubois Barnett, Editor of Ebony and daughter of our beloved Marguerite Ross Barnett, former Chancellor and Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
NMA conferences allow junior faculty like me to meet a lot of “firsts,” doctors who were the first African Americans to graduate medical school or complete their residencies. I even attended a session where the first African American female to complete a residency in orthopedic surgery was in attendance, Dr. Claudia L. Thomas. I was simply in awe to hear her speak. I remember having a tough time in my family medicine residency program as the first minority ever in the late nineties but I dare to fathom what it was like to complete an ortho residency as the sole minority! So if you are having problems visualizing this just imagine a room filled with all white, sports-loving men sitting around drinking beer and discussing golf and hunting! The tenacity and inner strength that this woman must have possessed to accomplish that goal!
Out of a necessity to advocate for patients and physicians of color, the NMA was founded in 1895. Its mission: “To advance the art and science of medicine for people of African descent through education, advocacy, and health policy to promote health and wellness, eliminate health disparities, and sustain physician viability.” During the 19th and a large portion of the 20th century, the American Medical Association refused to allow blacks as members. This was significant because hospitals would refuse to allow admitting privileges to the black doctors if they did not belong to the AMA. As a result, black patients were reluctantly cared for by white physicians. This care, to say the least was at times substandard, as many St. Louis residents so vividly remember.
After President Obama was elected, there were many articles, commentaries and discussions on the “post racial” era. Many individuals truly believed that the United States had escaped its horrible past by electing a black president. Those individuals are probably the same people who believed that groups such as the NMA and historically black colleges and medical schools were no longer relevant. However, as someone who has been involved on admissions committees and who is now faculty let me enthusiastically proclaim there is still work to be done.
For example, black men are significantly underrepresented in medical school classes. In 2011, only 2.5% of the students were African American men according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Blacks make up 13% of the US population, but only 4% of the physician workforce was black. The racial and ethnic composition of faculty is also not representative of society. Having health care providers who represent the communities in which they serve is important in regards to reducing health disparities.
So when asked if the NMA is still relevant, I again respond: “absolutely!” Having received my marching orders at the conference, I feel like I now have a renewed sense of purpose. The foundation has already been paved for me years ago by the Drs. Whittico, Murdock, Tillman and countless others. Upon their shoulders I stand and hope to one day impact society and my community in some meaningful way.
Yours in Service,
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
SLUCare Family Medicine
yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com
