My experiences aren't unusual. I talk to other surgeons around the
country who face the same prejudices. Physicians who are underrepre-
sented and people of color talk about discrimination in surgery all the
time. The only way to make progress on this issue is to put it on a bigger
scale. Today's climate is an incredible opportunity for us to move for-
ward.
Instead of simply applauding when small progress is made for
racial equality and then moving on, we should confront the larger
issues of how we got to this point. The good news is I've seen more
of a willingness to do that recently. A critical mass is forming and
momentum for change is happening. It's now easier for me to have
uncomfortable, but necessary, conversations about race instead of
staying quiet just to get through a day's worth of cases before going
home.
Many Black Americans study African American history to learn
about their past and take it upon themselves to learn about what was-
n't taught in public schools. Everybody should make a concerted
effort to learn more about this crucial part of America's history.
Willful ignorance is our biggest hindrance to progress.
We still have a long way to go to achieve racial equity on hospital
boards and representation in other top healthcare positions. My resi-
dency program, one of the oldest in the country, is 50% female. That's
wonderful, but I'll only be the third Black female to graduate from it.
That dearth of representation must change. I hope the new conversa-
tions occurring now are the start of a bigger movement.
Imani Elizabeth McElroy, MD
Resident Surgeon
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Mass.
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