Black Physicians of Utah is a nonprofit organization working to increase the number of Black physicians in the state through retention and recruitment. By working toward the organization’s goal, we can increase equitable representation in the medical profession and help to eliminate racial health disparities. Utah is growing more diverse; to deliver the best care for all communities, our medical professionals must also become more diverse. As a young Black man born and raised in Washington D.C., I was never too far By Richard A. Ferguson, MD, MBA Physician leader and community organizer Dr. Richard Ferguson shares his work to form Utah’s first organization for Black physicians. Their aim is to build a community among current Black physicians, residents, and students living in Utah. Organizational Spotlight: Black Physicians of Utah removed from seeing a path into medicine. There may not have been any physicians in my family, but my family knew of Black Physicians in the Washington D.C. area. Knowing the presence of Black physicians and having access to them built trust and confidence in my family over the years when it came to seeking healthcare. There were, of course, racial health disparities that existed in D.C. 40 years ago, as they do now in Utah and throughout our nation. However, these disparities were more likely to be recognized and addressed by the Black physicians in the area compared to non-Black physicians. Growing up and knowing that there were physicians in the community who looked like me made me recognize that I could be like them and pursue a career in medicine if I desired. Unfortunately, a young Black student in Utah may not find a path, as I did, into medicine due to the mere fact that they may never meet or know of a Black physician in their lifetime. One of our own University of Utah BPOU mentees went 24 years without meeting a Black physician until he joined our group, and he is not alone. The Black Physicians of Utah (BPOU) was formed to address the under-representation of Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Adesomo and Jeelan Fall (NMW, NP), recording a public service discussion on Black Maternal Mortality Rates. Organizational Spotlight| Continued on page 24 23 |
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQxMjUw