Louisville Medicine Volume 70, Issue 6 | Page 13

CALLED TO SERVE events and funded scholarships .
So , in 2016 , when Dr . Lewis Hargett gathered a group of Black physicians to discuss potentially restarting the Falls City Medical Society ( FCMS ), I immediately volunteered to be a charter member . From 2017-2022 , I gladly served as Treasurer , supporting Dr . Hargett ’ s mission to build engagement , support local medical students and reconnect with the national organization . My specific passions were , and continue to be , ensuring that the future of medicine is diverse , and communities of color will receive equal access to high-quality health care . When the opportunity to serve as President arose , I was nervous , but thrilled to fill the role . Not only did I have several examples of the service I wanted to provide , but the FCMS membership is itself diverse , activated and multitalented .
Growing up , I never had a regular pediatrician . My family was generally healthy , and we saw whoever was available on an as-needed basis . I ’ d never met a physician who looked like me or seemed like they understood me , and I only started to consider a career in medicine in college after hearing multiple classmates talk about their wishes to become doctors . From this standpoint , I recognize increasing diversity across medicine in Louisville must start with engaging young people in the area . One of my proudest accomplishments as a member is the development of our Pathways to Medicine Program . We have partnered with local schools to introduce grade K-12 students to our members and their specialties . We encourage them to prioritize their own wellness and help them understand the basis of health and disease . We hope that this exposure will lead to an increase in the number of local Black students entering the field of medicine and practicing in Louisville . Educating children on how their decisions today affect their wellness tomorrow will also improve the overall health in our communities , and we are proud to serve this purpose .
A highlight of our Pathways program is supporting Central High School ’ s Medical Magnet program . We started with a twoweek series of virtual introductions between FCMS members and students so they could see us and hear the specialties we represent and the paths we took . We sponsored their participation in the Kentucky Science Center ’ s Pulse of Surgery program in 2021 , and one of our cardiac anesthesiologists , Dr . Bryant England , prepared the students for the encounter . Since then , we have visited the school at least monthly to introduce the specialties we represent or to teach
lessons on anatomy , physiology and critical thinking . This year , ULSOM adopted Central ’ s Medical Magnet Program , revamping the curriculum and enlisting Falls City members to provide clinical shadowing experiences for senior students .
Falls City also supports local and visiting medical students across the state . We developed a mentoring program for interested medical students , and an FCMS member supports their academic journeys . We host an annual welcome event at the home of one of our members to remind the SNMA we are available and supportive . There are networking events through the academic year where SNMA and undergraduate students meet with our members for open question sessions . Last year , we created a scholarship for medical students . We invite the SNMA members , along with residents and fellows to attend and participate in our educational , networking and community events . In conjunction with ULSOM ’ s Office of Faculty Affairs , we cohosted welcome and graduation celebrations and look forward to continuing this tradition . These events are opportunities to explore potential careers in town and , by engaging trainees throughout their time here , we hope to attract many of them to stay .
Clearly , I am very passionate about young people , but Falls City stands to serve the entire community . I , like other members I ’ m sure , routinely field calls from family and friends , most of whom are immediately out of a health care provider encounter , who want an explanation of what the doctor said and advice . Despite our best efforts to speak in lay terms and be culturally competent , many great health care professionals are not making a meaningful connection . We must continue to train in effectively reaching our patients with backgrounds different from our own . In the meantime , Black
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