Growing up, I was inspired by the story of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman physician in the United States. My dad shared her story, and when I saw a picture of someone who looked like me, it was so inspiring. Her story has been a motivating factor in my career. Unfortunately, only about two percent of female physicians are Black. We need more representation in the medical field, and I hope to see these numbers grow in the future.
My passion for advocating for BIPOC and underserved communities originates with my dad. It is important for me to use my role as a physician to raise awareness regarding health inequities, disparities, and medical racism.
Unfortunately, as a Black female doctor, I face unconscious bias daily. My title as a physician is often removed or not acknowledged, and I’m often called by my first name while my colleagues are referred to as doctors. I’m often stereotyped as aggressive based on my assertiveness or delivery of patient orders in a clinical setting and face frequent inquiries surrounding my education. People have even asked, “Are you really a doctor?” Sadly, some patients do not feel comfortable seeing a Black doctor.
Representation is key. I truly believe in the motto “If you see it, you can be it.” I love that I can be that example for kids of color. It is so satisfying when I tell them I’m a doctor and their eyes light up, and they realize they can be a doctor one day, too. We need more doctors of color to help plant those seeds and ensure a more diverse tomorrow in healthcare and beyond.
In this post, you’ll meet some incredible Black women who broke down barriers and paved the way for generations of healthcare workers. Read their stories and leave inspired.
Dorothy Lavina Brown, MD
Brown — known to many as “Dr. D.” — was the first Black female surgeon in the American South. She practiced for years in the Southeastern United States during the 1900s. She was also the first Black female to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly and was elected to the Tennessee House or Representatives, where she fought for the rights of women and people of color.
Alexa Canady, MD
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Canady became the first Black woman neurosurgeon in the U.S., in 1981. She went on to specialize in pediatric neurosurgery and was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 1989.
Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD
Born in 1831, Crumpler was the first Black woman to become a doctor of medicine in the U.S. In 1883, she published A Book of Medical Discourses, which focused on maternal and pediatric care.
Georgia E.L. Patton, MD
Patton was the first Black woman to become licensed as a doctor in Tennessee. Born into slavery in 1864, she was the only member of her family to graduate high school, and she then went on to earn her medical degree at the Meharry Medical Department of Central Tennessee College. With big goals for service to others, she left for Liberia immediately after graduation, where she served as a medical missionary for two years.
