Are you a doctor?

In January of 2018, it was a typical Saturday in Chicago, the weather was blustery and cold. I had been putting it off, but now it was time to renew my ACLS certification.

ACLS is a license most health care providers are expected to have in case you have to provide life saving cardiac support for a patient. 

I had chosen this location for several reasons. It had a warmth that came from having a diverse workforce and the drive was familiar to me.

I arrived on time, swung by the doctor’s lounge, spent a few minutes there and then promptly went up to the class. It was not unusual that I was the only black doctor there in a class of about 30 plus other doctors.

Prior to the class, I had received an email that indicated it was an all physician class, and we would probably get off early since we were all recertifying.

It was a good group – 3 female instructors and a lot of great camaraderie. When we began the practice modules, we were split into groups of roughly 10 students each (Physicians). My group comprised of 10, different ages and ethnicity, the first 4 went through and I was next  #5

As I was starting my hands on module, I heard the question, “Are you a doctor?” 

I was surprised because no one prior to me had been asked that question by the instructor. This wasn’t new to me, where I was unexpected in my role as a physician. 

With the passage of time, I have seen that these types of questions are not necessarily asked of everyone and as I got older, I have kindly but intentionally spoken up.

So when I heard that question, I answered in the affirmative, went on to complete my module, but I watched to see if someone else would be asked the same question. 

No one else was.

I thought back to the email that said this was a class of all physicians. Then I looked at myself to see if I was dressed differently, Nope. Most of the people in the class that Saturday morning had on denims and a shirt. So I was sure it wasn’t my outfit. 

Then I thought, aha, maybe name tags identifying others as physicians, but again, only one person had a name tag that was tucked away.The upper part was peeking out, I knew it was a name tag having worked in that location in times past.

At this point I realized the only significant difference was the color of my skin.

We completed the module, and everyone left to take the test, but I stood there.

She looked at me expectantly, and I asked her politely, “Why did you ask me if I was a doctor?”

She flushed and fumbled for words.

Eventually her response was “I am sorry but they told me there was a PA, (Physician Assistant)  in the class.” I had no witty response but I noticed she appeared uncomfortable afterwards.

When I got to my car, I thought it through, and replayed everything out in my mind.

I remembered her words, and I knew regardless of how youthful some of the others looked, in her mind, doctors did not look like me.

What is Unconscious Bias?

It is the underlying attitude and stereotype that people unconsciously attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand or engage with a person or group.

The issue of bias is a world wide one and it influences the decisions we make.

When we act in the workplace based on gut feelings, some of it is related to unconscious bias.

It is not unique to America. It shows up in different ways in different cultures across the world.

In Africa, it might present in areas where a woman is not expected to be the major income earner. Regardless of how much she brings to the table, relatives and friends would rather believe a husband without a job, somehow earned the money

In Latin America where a woman may not be expected to be the CEO of a large corporation, or Asia where a man may be expected to be better in calculations.

The sports world is not exempt, we have seen strong sports women vilified as “men” because of the strength they exhibit. 

What about healthcare? Most patients still prefer to believe a female doctor is a nurse.

What are the statistics?

Most recent data show that black doctors and hispanic doctors are almost neck to neck in percentage of active physicians in America.

Yet, when a Black physician, dressed the same as a Hispanic physician, shows up, the assumption in a group would favor the Hispanic as the doctor.

Why is that? Unconscious bias. The media has a role to play in this. Decades and decades of portraying a certain race as being the norm for leadership has propelled a narrative that shapes the lens through which we view the world. 

The first step is to acknowledge them, then identify what that bias is.

Why is it so important to identify these biases?

Because it shapes our daily interactions with others. Are we always going to get it right?

No, but identifying and knowing that we have those bias enables us to be more thoughtful in our interactions. It matters because these biases, hidden and tucked away, when not tackled can become a roadblock to a more just world. 

So back to STEM

I had often thought about increasing STEM awareness, but had no idea how or where to start. But after this incident, I realized it didn’t matter where I started, it was important that I started.

So I did. With no mentor, no knowledge of what it would take, but a fire burning within me that could not be quenched. My journey of faith was born. Looking at the percentage of Blacks in STEM, I realized we are facing an existential crisis. Also the poorer healthcare outcomes by communities of color did not help. Mistrust of the healthcare system stopping us from getting preventive care when we should, and showing up at later stages of disease.

This spurred me on to create a 501c3 Non profit organization Zebralter Medical with an underlying goal of bridging the STEM gap and improving healthcare outcomes.

How?

Increasing visibility of Black and Brown Healthcare professionals across the spectrum through our free healthcare app “Melanin Medical Specialties” available on google and apple.

Connecting Mentees to Mentors by leveraging the power of technology. 

Giving out awards to college students obtaining degrees in STEM through our partnership with Black Alumni Network of UIUC. 

Forging partnerships with local High Schools and starting a Zebralter STEM fellowship program for high school students interested in STEM (Picture below: Hinsdale South High School)

A Youtube medical animation platform “Melanin Medical Specialties” sharing vibrant healthcare career videos to reach children and encourage STEM interest at an early age

It has been a labor of love. Sound ambitious? Yes, but only when done alone.

Zebralter Medical needs you. 

We need sponsors, help with technology but there is NO stopping us on our mission to bridge the STEM gap. Our vision may start with us but transcends us, impacting present generations and those yet unborn. We offer a radical game-changer. 

Reach out, let’s work together and make a lasting impact. Share our story, download our app, connect with us [email protected]

YES: Science is an option