Medical Students at Carle Illinois College of Medicine are reflecting on Black History Month. Interviewed by their classmates, their reflections are shared and written in their own words below.
Jermaine Chambers, Class of 2024
What does Black History Month (BHM) mean to you in the context of healthcare?
Black History Month underscores the inseparable connection between black history and American history. It allows individuals like me to reflect on the legacy and remarkable achievements of my people, who have contributed significantly to the field of healthcare. When we talk about black history, we can't forget about physician innovators like Dr. Patricia Bath, who invented the laserphaco probe to treat cataracts. We can’t forget about Dr. Charles Drew, a surgeon who devised innovative methods for blood plasma storage in blood banks. These are just a couple examples of exceptional individuals who exemplify the essence of "physician innovators," a mission that coincidentally aligns with the objectives of CIMED. Moreover, it is important to remember the lives of our ancestors who contributed to modern medicine. When reflecting on the victories and challenges experienced by the black community, I develop a profound admiration for the resilience and creativity that have influenced the evolution of healthcare.
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
While employed as an engineer at a biomedical device startup, I worked closely with the founding physician to translate his concept into a practical treatment for patients. Witnessing this process was deeply inspiring and gave me a blueprint for my own journey. When I started my journey towards medical school, I couldn't help but notice the scarcity of individuals who looked like me in this field. I was also shocked by the health disparities evident in our country. This realization became a turning point in my personal journey. As a future physician, I aim to inspire the next generation of black physicians and work towards reducing healthcare disparities in the black community.
Diamond Ruby Coleman, Class of 2026
What does Black History Month (BHM) mean to you in the context of healthcare?
In the realm of healthcare, Black History Month (BHM) holds a profound significance as a dedicated period for celebrating and acknowledging the remarkable achievements, innovations, and resilience demonstrated by Black individuals in various roles within the field of medicine. This encompasses not only physicians and researchers but also extends to those who, unfortunately, became subjects of medical experimentation without their informed consent.
Furthermore, BHM serves as an imperative time for candidly addressing historical racism and collectively committing to tangible actions for rectification. The unsettling reality persists that numerous medical advancements have been forged through the deceit and neglect of Black lives, including individuals who were enslaved or incarcerated. Prominent examples, such as the exploitation of Henrietta Lacks, the controversial practices of J. Marion Sims in gynecology, and the morally questionable Holmesburg Prison experiments, underscore the darker aspects of medical history.
It is crucial to maintain heightened awareness during this month, especially within the medical community, encompassing physicians, researchers, and those who were subjected to medical testing unwillingly. Recognizing the historical context becomes paramount, with a particular emphasis on understanding that the foundation of contemporary medical practices, influenced by the Flexner Report, has deep roots in historical racism. Emphasizing social justice as an integral aspect of one's healthcare career becomes an ethical imperative, fostering a commitment to rectify past wrongs and contribute actively to building a more equitable and just healthcare system.
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
The impetus behind my pursuit of medicine is intricately linked to a critical examination of the historical and contemporary racial underpinnings within the medical field. My motivation stems from the alarming perpetuation of racial disparities across various diseases, a phenomenon exacerbated by the erroneous notion of inherent genetic differences between racial identities. Contrary to this misconception, it is crucial to recognize that these disparities are predominantly rooted in systemic racism.
Institutionalized racism has historically marginalized Black individuals within the medical profession, contributing to underrepresentation and limited opportunities. Furthermore, interpersonal racism manifests in healthcare settings, leading to the denial of care and acknowledgment of pain for Black women, resulting in a staggering 2.6 times increase in maternal mortality risk upon entering a hospital.
The impact of environmental racism cannot be overlooked, as it has played a role in redlining individuals to areas near waste, factories, and pollutants, elevating the risk of cancer. Additionally, structural racism perpetuates the prevalence of food deserts and swamps, characterized by an abundance of cancer-causing foods in proximity to candy stores instead of essential grocery stores, thereby increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
In essence, my aspiration extends beyond the confines of individual medical practice. It is a commitment to fostering a world where Black individuals can experience true freedom, genuine health, and occupy spaces unencumbered by systemic inequities. My journey in medicine is anchored in the desire to actively contribute to dismantling these racial disparities and promoting a healthcare landscape that is just, inclusive, and truly equitable.
Gregory Ridgel, Class of 2027
What does Black History Month (BHM) mean to you in the context of healthcare?
In the context of healthcare, Black History Month means not only recognizing the numerous contributions that Black folks have made toward the advancement of medicine, but also acknowledging the racial disparities that still exist in healthcare. Historically, medical innovations have been kept from Black communities, like how Black men were not given access to syphilis treatments during the Tuskegee experiments or how Black folks had a more difficult time accessing the COVID-19 vaccine when it was newly available. In my opinion, the celebration of BHM encompasses both of these aims, recognizing the achievements of Black folks throughout history while ensuring that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
Like many of us, I was a child that everyone thought would be a doctor. I still have name tags from my preschool career days saying "Gregory Ridgel, MD." For undergrad, I pursued a degree in biomedical engineering, which introduced me to the nexus of medicine, science, and engineering. I found this nexus extremely intriguing, especially in the contexts of pharmaceuticals and innovation. Now in medical school, I am sure that the engineering skills that I have developed will allow me to be a better clinician, more able to meet needs and solve problems for my future patients.
Debora Nya, Class of 2027
What does BHM mean to you in the context of healthcare?
Black History Month (BHM) is a time to highlight and honor the contributions of Black people, which can often go unmentioned. In terms of healthcare, it is that push to acknowledge all the Black health professionals, caregivers, educators, and innovators of past and present who constantly work to make the lives of those around them better than before. Also, it presents an opportunity to bring forward discussions about health disparities that affect Black individuals and what we can do to address them. Though BHM is just a month of the year, the evolving struggles and the inspiring accomplishments of Black individuals should be considered and discussed year-round.
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
My love for people, problem-solving, and technology is my motivation for pursuing medicine. However, I do not think I would have had the courage to pursue medicine if I did not see other Black people in medicine. In high school, my primary care physician was Black, and my conversations with him opened my mind to the possibility of becoming a doctor. Every Black medical professional I have met since has continued to inspire me, especially when hearing the positive impact they have on people’s health and overall lives.