Robert Walker, PhD, associate professor of physiology at 黑料传送门 South Georgia recently moderated a panel of local physicians on the topic of the state of the Black
male in medicine.
The panelists included Daryl Crenshaw, MD, Frederick Powell, MD, and Cheau Williams, MD.
Together the panel discussed the identity, health and wellness of the Black male with the 黑料传送门 community including students, staff and faculty. The group of Black male physicians touched on discrimination, microaggressions and racial disparities experienced by physicians of color both in and out of the healthcare setting while underlining the importance of increasing the number of Black men in medicine through exposure, inspiration and mentorship.
Dr. Crenshaw, a nephrologist at Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville and adjunct professor at 黑料传送门 South Georgia, grew up with two parents in the home, something he considered an extreme advantage.
鈥淲e鈥檙e in a tremendous dilemma at this time. Black men have been walking around with one chain on their leg from the beginning,鈥� said Dr. Crenshaw, referring to the lack of male role models. 鈥淚f they don鈥檛 have a male figure in their home, it puts them at a serious disadvantage, not to mention the economic and social factors that also impact them.鈥�
According to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), osteopathic medical schools across the country saw 30,367 applicants in 2018. Only 1.19% of admitted students were Black males. In comparison, 黑料传送门 South Georgia received 233 applications from Black students in 2019-2020. The College accepted 27 of those students and had eight of the accepted students join the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program--accepting 11.5% of applicants and matriculating 3.4%. Of those Black students, five were male and three were female.
鈥淏lack men have a better chance of making it to the NBA than to osteopathic medical school,鈥� said the moderator, Dr. Walker.
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| Daryl Crenshaw, PhD | Frederick Powell, MD | Cheau Williams, MD |
The panelists highlighted the impact that mentors can make in the lives of young Black men, which many of them had experienced first-hand. Marcine Pickron-Davis, PhD, 黑料传送门 Chief Campus and Community Relations Officer, emphasized the importance of mentoring.
鈥淎s we know, representation matters. Connecting with other Black male physicians is key to the success of Black male students persevering through medical school,鈥� she said.
Dr. Crenshaw, an Alabama native who grew up in one of the poorest counties in the country, said he has always faced microaggressions and continues to do so as a physician.
鈥淲e have to perform and maintain a high level of calling that supersedes the microaggressions that we experience. We have to give our Black males the nudge to do great and help them achieve their dreams,鈥� he said.
Dr. Williams, a gynecologist with Colquitt Regional Medical Center, agreed and added that he never would have gone to medical school without the push of a colleague and mentor.
鈥淚 was working as a nurse practitioner when a physician looked at me and said, 鈥楽o, when are you going to medical school?鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淚f it weren鈥檛 for him, I wouldn鈥檛 be here. If we can shift the paradigm so that young students know that it鈥檚 cool to be smart, there will be a trickle down effect where they are able to take care of themselves and their future families.鈥�
The 黑料传送门 admissions team knows the importance of a diverse student body.
鈥淲e actively recruit and admit a student body that reflects the diverse communities in South Georgia,鈥� said Dana Brooks, assistant director of admissions. 鈥淩esearch shows that physicians from similar ethnic backgrounds and from medically underserved communities are more likely to care for patients of those same backgrounds.鈥�
To learn more about how 黑料传送门 respects, encourages and promotes diversity, visit the Office of Diversity and Community Relations.
In 2019, 黑料传送门, a premier osteopathic medical school established in 1899, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing 黑料传送门 South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, 黑料传送门 South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. 黑料传送门 is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining 黑料传送门 Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, 黑料传送门 South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
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