Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Fostering the next (diverse) generation of clinicians

Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA
Physician
March 14, 2023
3 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

As a medical student, I never saw myself as a future CEO or anything close. I was often the only Black person in the room in classes and rotations. After I became an attending, I spent a great deal of time and mental energy fitting in. Speaking up and having opinions were luxuries I couldn’t afford, let alone aspiring to leadership.

What made a difference? Having a mentor.

My mentor, Wes Curry, MD, one of the few Black CEOs leading a health care organization, encouraged me to consider leadership. His example, and that of fellow trailblazers Bernard Tyson and Lloyd Dean, greatly expanded my horizons and influenced my career path.

Dr. Curry taught me it’s not enough to create “opportunity” for diverse physicians. We need to go the extra mile and extend a hand to the next generation—and we need to do so in every setting, from the physician practice to the elementary school classroom. This requires us to roll up our sleeves and take action through mentorship, advocacy, community building, and outreach.

There’s no nice way to say it. The stats on health care representation are pretty dismal. I’d even go so far as to say disgraceful, because some of them are moving in the wrong direction.

Some examples:

  • Only 6 percent of U.S. physicians identify as Hispanic and only 5 percent as Black or African American, despite these groups making up 19 percent and 13 percent of the population, respectively. There’s some evidence that the number of Black male physicians has decreased slightly since the 1970s.
  • While the gender gap is closing, 64 percent of practicing physicians are male.
  • Though it’s harder to find numbers for LGBT and gender-nonconforming physicians, we know that fear of discrimination is a major barrier to care for LGBT patients and there’s an acute need for culturally competent clinicians to serve this population.

How underrepresentation harms us all

 We’ve all seen examples of bias directly harming patients. One is Dr. Susan Moore, an Indiana physician who was hospitalized with COVID-19. When Dr. Moore, who is Black, complained of severe pain, her doctors refused to administer more narcotics and suggested sending her home. “I put forth and maintain that if I were white, I would not have to go through that,” she wrote at the end of a Facebook post detailing her struggle which tragically ended in her death from COVID-19.

While stories like Dr. Moore’s are shocking, the effects of underrepresentation are also more subtle. Often, taking the form of narrow perspectives. Physician leaders may fail to recognize their own biases or not realize their worldview is limited which over time maintains the status quo, entrenching inequities like lack of access.

Finally, underrepresentation means a lack of role models for diverse students and clinicians. Even if they “make it,” they may focus on fitting in rather than being themselves. This is a missed opportunity to bring different experiences and perspectives to their team, which may help solve a problem or foster more understanding.

The power of a hand up

As much as we may want it, talk about it, and invite it, representation doesn’t just happen. We can’t simply pay lip service and wait for opportunity to manifest – this ignores the real barriers diverse clinicians face.

We must start by acknowledging that the playing field isn’t level. This is a reality that I hope changes, but for now it’s still very prevalent across all aspects of society. One of the most impactful ways I know of to combat it is to act as a champion for people you identify as needing extra promotion and visibility to move ahead in their careers. I call this giving a “hand up” to help drive forward career vision and help people realize their full potential.

The “hand up” concept invites all of us to take action to eliminate structural barriers and connect on a human level to the next generation of medical leaders. This needs to happen at all levels of the leadership pipeline, from the elementary school classroom to the boardroom.

What’s a hand up look like?

Seeking mentors can feel risky for underrepresented students and physicians. In many settings, there aren’t enough BIPOC, LGBT, or women leaders to meet the demand so it’s imperative each of us offer support where we can.

 Self-education. Developing cultural competence makes us better mentors, colleagues, and clinicians. It also frees people from different backgrounds from having to educate others or act as spokespeople.

Program development. Leaders can break down institutional barriers by creating intentional pathways within their organizations to support the advancement of diverse students, clinicians, and leaders.

As individuals and groups, there’s no shortage of non-profit organizations we can volunteer with or support to creating opportunity in the communities we serve. 

Together, we have the power to improve healthcare by helping the next generation of clinicians be more representative of their patients. I invite you to actively seek out opportunities to give a hand up to underrepresented groups so we can build the most diverse, passionate, and talented generation medicine has ever seen.

Imamu Tomlinson is an emergency physician and health care executive.

Prev

From grief to gratitude: How writing changed my life

March 14, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

Paddle your way to wellness: Navigating the whitewater of medicine and finding balance on the water

March 14, 2023 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Public Health & Policy

Post navigation

< Previous Post
From grief to gratitude: How writing changed my life
Next Post >
Paddle your way to wellness: Navigating the whitewater of medicine and finding balance on the water

More by Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA

  • What I learned from Kobe Bryant as a parent, coach, and doctor

    Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Getting personal with patients really matters

    Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA

Related Posts

  • COVID-19 proved that diverse voices make health care better

    Naprisha Taylor
  • A call to clinicians: Contrary to what you’ve been taught, use social media

    Joshua Mansour, MD
  • Health care needs more physician CEOs

    Alexi Nazem, MD
  • Are negative news cycles and social media injurious to our health?

    Rabia Jalal, MD
  • A physician’s addiction to social media

    Amanda Xi, MD
  • How social media can help or hurt your health care career

    Health eCareers

More in Physician

  • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

    Kevin Haselhorst, MD
  • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

    Emily Stanford, DO
  • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

    Dr. Damane Zehra
  • The Iranian diaspora’s fight for liberty: Overcoming challenges in the largest women’s rights movement of our century

    Montreh Tavakkoli, MD
  • The harmful effects of shaming patients for self-education

    Maryanna Barrett, MD
  • The power of self-appreciation: Why physicians need to start acknowledging their own contributions

    Wendy Schofer, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • From clocking in to clocking out: the transition to retirement

      Debbie Moore-Black, RN | Conditions
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • From clocking in to clocking out: the transition to retirement

      Debbie Moore-Black, RN | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 1 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Journal Shows Its Commitment to Exploring AI in Medicine
  • Do Away With 'Lockout' Period in iPLEDGE, FDA Advisors Urge
  • Cluster Headache, Migraine Linked to Circadian System
  • Smaller Liver Transplant Candidates Wait Longer, Less Likely to Receive Organ
  • A 'Double Whammy' for Gastric Cancer Risk

Meeting Coverage

  • Oral Roflumilast Effective in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
  • Phase III Trials 'Hit a Home Run' in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
  • Cannabis Use Common in Post-Surgery Patients on Opioid Tapering
  • Less Abuse With Extended-Release Oxycodone, Poison Center Data Suggest
  • Novel Strategies Show Winning Potential in Ovarian Cancer
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • From clocking in to clocking out: the transition to retirement

      Debbie Moore-Black, RN | Conditions
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • From clocking in to clocking out: the transition to retirement

      Debbie Moore-Black, RN | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Fostering the next (diverse) generation of clinicians
1 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...