Navigating the Bumpy Yellow Brick Road to Diversity and Inclusion

(From left to right) Kara Toles, MD, Olivia Campa, MD, Erica Thomas, MD, Alicia Agnoli, MD, and Tamika Coy, MD Editor’s Note: This blog post is part of a collection on the resident selection process. Read other blog posts in the collection here. Read the related Academic Medicine articles here. As a first-year medical student, I was required to read Beverly Daniel Tatum’s book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, which resonated. I never thought I would become a physician, having never met a physician outside of my pediatrician’s office. Throughout my education, I struggled to be accepted as a Latina and as a second generation Mexican striving to be the first in my family to graduate from college. I attended a predominantly Latino school, but there were few Latinos in my college prep classes. However I do recall that lunch was when I would sit with my friends in the cafeteria, laughing and telling stories. Cherished moments when I could be myself. In medical school, I was one of a few students of color. Although my class was touted as one of the most diverse in recent history, the 10 of us seemed like a small contingent compared to our 90 peers. I remember telling myself, “Find someone who looks like you, keep your head down, work hard, try to fit in.” Then I heard, “Hey do you want to sit with me?” and looked up to see a friendly face with big brown eyes. Leon was the first person to welcome me. I had my one friend. I found comfort i...
Source: Academic Medicine Blog - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Featured Guest Perspective diversity and inclusion holistic admissions underrepresented in medicine Source Type: blogs