The month of February is Black History Month, a month dedicated to recognizing, celebrating, and honoring the achievements of Black communities.
The U.S. census and AAMC data indicate that the percentage of active Black or African American physicians is 2.5 fold lower than would be predicted.
These numbers inform our work on diversity in medicine, and had led to a multi-pronged strategy for pipeline development (from grade school), outreach to and recruitment from HBCUs, and career development of minority physicians.
The new generation must recognize the value they can contribute to our healthcare system, and our message for Black History Month is this, “If I made it, you can make it too.”
If I made it, you can make it too.
Inginia Genao, MD
Inginia Genao, MD, FACP
Graduate Medical Education Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Associate Chair for Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Medicine
Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine
Gary V. Desir, MD
Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine
Vice Provost, Faculty Development and Diversity
Chair, Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine
Chief, Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital