Every few months, there happens to be another breathless news story about racism in healthcare. Mass media seems shocked, progressives angrily tweet, while conservatives claim that somehow it was all President Obama’s fault. Meanwhile, the four relatively unknown and certainly underappreciated HBCU (historically black college or university) medical schools in the United States (Howard University,…
One Breath, One Step
There is a great mental and physical challenge in climbing the roughly sixteen hundred steps up Machu Picchu Mountain. Carved by the Quechuan people (now known as the Incas), the path to the top represents an opportunity for a person to commune with the Heavens and the Gods above. The mountain is the vessel that…
Why Ending Net Neutrality Might Doom History
On June 11, the FCC is putting an end to net neutrality, potentially creating an opportunity for ISPs to provide fast tracks for companies that can pay for them. How will this affect the voices of millions of people who can’t afford these fees? Will they reach less people? How does this affect the way our society records history today?
Caring for Patients when Man Merges with Machine
It’s easy to get caught up in the future of technology and medicine. From advancements in blockchain and EHR interoperability to 3D printing to state-of-the-art discoveries in drug delivery, the healthcare industrial complex is pushing the boundaries like never before. Technologies like the left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which pushes blood through the body when…
10 Life Lessons I Learned From Starting A Podcast
As a (soon to be graduating!!) medical student at a historically black college, I often came across African American professors and physicians with a wealth of knowledge, extraordinary experiences, and rich personal stories. These were people who faced enormous challenges, discouragement, and discrimination, yet still rose to the highest levels of their profession. What made…