West Virginia Medical Journal - 2021 - Quarter 3 | Page 50

NEWS

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
WVSOM ’ s diversity efforts aim for greater representation on campus
When Raekwon Timmons , a student in the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ’ s ( WVSOM ) Class of 2023 , heard about the documentary “ Black Men in White Coats ,” he felt a pang of recognition . The statistics the film highlights — for example , that only 2 % of U . S . physicians are black males or that fewer black males applied to U . S . medical schools in 2014 than in 1978 — rang true to his personal experience .
“ It has been difficult to find black male physicians in West Virginia ,” said Timmons , who is one of only three black male students in his WVSOM class of students who self-reported their racial identity to the school . “ The lack of representation in the medical field may be a reason fewer African American men are applying to medical school . It ’ s hard to be something you can ’ t see , and that ’ s why more diversity is needed .”
“ Black Men in White Coats ,” created by Dale Okorodudu , MD , a Texas-based pulmonary and critical care physician , dissects the systemic barriers preventing black males from becoming physicians and the consequences those barriers have on society .
WVSOM ’ s Diversity Committee and Student National Medical Association chapter sponsored a virtual screening of the documentary , followed by an online discussion led by Timmons , president of the chapter . The film argues that , among other factors , health disparities exist for the African American community partially due to cultural mistrust of an overwhelmingly nonblack medical workforce .
That ’ s why it ’ s important for medical students to receive education on diversity-related issues , Timmons said , and why he has made it a goal to play a part in bringing more diversity education to WVSOM ’ s student body during his time at the school .
“ The patient population is diverse ,” he said . “ I believe every student could build better rapport with patients from an underrepresented minority if they are educated on some of the obstacles people in that group face .”
Increasing awareness of the lack of black male representation is just one of many efforts WVSOM has made toward a more equitable environment . The school ’ s diversity committee , made up of faculty , staff , and students , helps WVSOM foster an environment that values the development of human potential , cultural and ethnic diversity ,
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