FEATURE
YOUNG LEADERS SEEK TO DIVERSIFY HEALTH CARE BY
HARNESSING THEIR GREATER INFLUENCE
AUTHORS Tino Mkorombindo , Giana Darville & Ruth Rodriguez
Becoming a health care professional is a dream for many , but students and professionals from historically underrepresented groups face unique challenges on their journeys to serve others through medicine . During my first year as an MD / MBA student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine , I was taken aback by the lack of racial diversity among my incoming class . My class reported 6 % of entrants as underrepresented , while that year ’ s national average was 21.6 %. I constantly felt as though I did not fit the mold , that I did not belong in this space , so it was difficult to be my authentic self . This lack of representation and community also created a seemingly insurmountable barrier to opportunity .
I realized that the lack of diversity in health care is an issue generated by systemic inequalities , rather than by individual shortcomings . This realization planted a seed in my mind that took root in 2017 , developing into Greater Influence — a non-profit organization that seeks to address the lack of representation in health care . Initially started as a mentorship program , Greater Influence quickly evolved to fulfill my vision of meeting its members ’ anticipated needs by serving as a holistic resource for underrepresented students of all ages pursuing a career in medicine . Greater Influence would ultimately allow us to positively address the dire need for diversity in the physician workforce .
Although studies 1 have shown that health care diversity produces more favorable outcomes in patient care , less than 13 % of the physician workforce 2 identifies as an underrepresented minority . However , these statistics are not just data points on a graph ; they are my lived experiences and that of many students of color . So , I solicited several of my peers support to aid in jointly running and developing the organization .
I was fortunate to have met Stephen Canton , an MD / MS student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , during the early stages of the organization ’ s development . We quickly realized we shared a desire and passion for improving medical education and access for all . Now serving as Executive Director , Canton aims to help us become “ an organization that will serve as a pipeline to help individuals underrepresented in medicine to realize their dreams .”
Consuela Abotsi-Kowu , another early addition to the team , says her motivation to become Greater Influence ’ s Development
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Director “ stems from my need to empower and advocate for my community .” As a recent Masters of Public Health graduate from the University of California Los Angeles , she notes , “ Public health statistics vividly paint pictures of the health disparities plaguing our communities of color . Greater Influence arms the next generation with the tools necessary to succeed and thrive so that they can become advocates for our communities .”
Soon thereafter , Programming Director Dele Osisami , Communications Director Giana Darville , Finance Director Elijah Hill , and Blog Director Ja ’ Neil Humphrey offered their unique skill sets and diverse experiences to support and execute Greater Influence ’ s mission . Most recently , Chelese Moore , a fourth-year dental student at the University of Michigan , joined Greater Influence because it was an opportunity for her “ to encourage , inspire and pour into the next generation of health care professionals who may not have mentors to guide them along this journey .” She was incredibly excited about this opportunity because it allowed her to continue cultivating the community she found necessary during her undergraduate study as Greater Influence ’ s Outreach Director . She explained , “ As a leader , it is important to me to cultivate and uplift the passions of those pursuing health care careers to be successful in their prospective fields of study .”
Today , the organization ’ s sole purpose is to provide necessary resources to diverse students , leveling the playing field and offering each student member a “ fair shake ” at achieving their bright future . Created and operated by students and young professionals , Greater Influence offers a growing range of services , including mental and emotional health resources , information on scholarships , internships , mentorship and networking opportunities . We hold informational virtual events for students across health disciplines . In keeping with Greater Influence ’ s mission of innovatively increasing representation in health care careers by improving access to information and resources , we aim by personal connection to find and nurture future leaders , promote diversity and inclusion and encourage students ’ holistic growth .
Now more than ever , it is crucially important to invest in future physicians who intimately understand the needs of their communities . During the past year , the gaps in health care disparities have only continued to widen as COVID-19 continues to affect Black , Latinx and Indigenous communities at a disproportionate rate compared to their white counterparts . 3 It is overwhelmingly evident that communities of color are more vulnerable , facing large barriers to access to health care and health education .