UAMS Holds Panel Discussion on Representation of Black Men in Medicine
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) convened a panel discussion that focused on the importance of increasing representation of Black men in the medical field.
The “Black Men in Medicine” event featured four panelists from the UAMS College of Medicine. The speakers were Wayne Bryant Jr., M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine; William Greenfield, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Adam Johnson, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery; and John Ukadike, D.O., MPH, a resident physician in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.
Sharanda Williams, M.A., assistant dean for student affairs and diversity in the College of Medicine, moderated the discussion. Williams noted that the number of Black men in the medical field is lower today than it was in 1978.
“We want to talk about the experiences our physicians are having,” she said. “What are the challenges and barriers to becoming a Black male physician?”
Williams started the discussion by asking the panelists why it’s crucial to ensure that Black men are represented in medicine. Greenfield said it’s important to have a workforce that’s sensitive and representative of the community it serves.
“I think we would all agree that at the core of improved patient outcomes, it has to be rooted in effective communication and trust,” he said. “Having Black men represented in more proportionate numbers would go a long way.”
Johnson highlighted the importance of leadership, noting that physicians historically have been viewed as pillars of their communities.
“Black men should be leaders and mentors, and serving as physicians can catapult them into that position,” he said.
Ukadike spoke about struggling with academics as a young adult. He credited Billy Thomas, M.D., MPH, professor of pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology, for serving as a mentor and showing him the opportunities that put him on the path to becoming a physician.
“Representation is crucial for young people who want to get into medical school now, who need to see that we’re here and we’re reaching out,” Ukadike said.
Ukadike recently garnered national attention as a writer whose works chronicle his journey in medicine. One essay, titled “The Janitor Will See You Now,” recounts a moment in which he entered a room and learned that the patient’s family mistakenly believed he was there to pick up the trash. Ukadike said he wrote the piece to help those who don’t know what it’s like to live as a Black man.
“It’s a reminder that we exist, that we’re out here making a difference in the community,” he said. “The community that UAMS serves has a large Black population, and we can’t forget about that.”
The panel also examined how lack of representation affects mental health outcomes for Black men. Johnson said that men comprise about 80% of suicides in the Black community, reflecting a mental health concern that’s not talked about often enough.
“But plenty of research shows that outcomes in medicine are generally better if a Black person is being taken care of by a Black physician,” he said.
Johnson also spoke about the mental toll that comes with being a Black physician. He said he was the only Black man in the room during most phases of his medical education, a trend that at times made him question whether he belonged.
Bryant addressed the same issue by touting his colleagues in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, saying they’ve created a supportive environment that made him feel included.
“I think that’s one reason I’ve stayed here at UAMS,” he said. “I know that if I were in a different scenario, then I might have felt alone.”
Panelists agreed that it’s important for UAMS to continue striving to increase the representation and success of Black men in its faculty and staff. Greenfield emphasized the importance of developing programs that will help students throughout their academic journeys, fostering their success and promoting health care as a viable career.
He also encouraged advocates to take a long-term approach.
“The dividends of this investment are not necessarily going to be paid in the next two years or the next five years,” he said. “They’re likely going to be paid in 10, 15 or maybe even 20 years from now.”
Ukadike, who came up with the idea for the panel discussion, said Black men can serve as role models and inspire others to pursue medical careers.
“The easiest thing we should do is be present and available, but we should also be loud,” he said. “We should put ourselves out there and say: ‘This is a problem that we’re trying to correct. We want to have more Black men coming to this institution so we can do great things at UAMS.’”
The “Black Men In Medicine” discussion was sponsored by the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine in the College of Medicine with support from the UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.