Medical Schools Must Play A Role in Addressing Racial Disparities

STAT columnist Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu recently urged physicians to ask how they can ensure that their patients can “thrive in an America free of legalized terror and intolerance.”

In the wake of the brutal killings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castille, Delrawn Small, and police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, America is confronting how its long history of racial injustice continues into the present. We must all address these wounds, including those of us in medicine.

As medical students soon to be entrusted with the health and well-being of individual patients and entire communities, we see responding to these tragedies as intertwined with our professional responsibilities.

STAT columnist Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu recently urged physicians to ask how they can ensure that their patients can “thrive in an America free of legalized terror and intolerance.” Some have already answered. Just last week, nearly 3,000 physicians and students signed a
letter supporting Black Lives Matter, committing themselves to addressing racism in their communities. As medical students, we have been asking the same question. It’s not enough for individual doctors to stand in solidarity — our medical schools must do the same.

2/4/2016 – Cambridge, MA – Harvard University – Medical student Nelson C. Malone, cq, left, and Danial Ceasar, cq, right, and roughly 30 other Harvard Medical School students delivered a petition to Harvard President Drew Faust’s office urging her to consider diversity and social justice when searching for a replacement for the current medical school dean. Roughly 30 Harvard medical students gathered on in Harvard Yard on Thursday afternoon, February 4, 2016 to deliver the petition. Topic: xxSTATLongwood. Story by Alissa Ambrose/Globe Staff. Photo by Dina Rudick/Globe Staff.

2/4/2016 – Cambridge, MA – Harvard University – Medical student Nelson C. Malone, cq, left, and Danial Ceasar, cq, right, and roughly 30 other Harvard Medical School students delivered a petition to Harvard President Drew Faust’s office urging her to consider diversity and social justice when searching for a replacement for the current medical school dean. Roughly 30 Harvard medical students gathered on in Harvard Yard on Thursday afternoon, February 4, 2016 to deliver the petition. Topic: xxSTATLongwood. Story by Alissa Ambrose/Globe Staff. Photo by Dina Rudick/Globe Staff.