Currently, Black males make up just 2 percent of all physicians in the United States. The goal of the event, which was spearheaded by Haynes, was to tackle that statistic head-on. One hundred twenty-six young men between the ages of 16 and 24 viewed the documentary, and 36 attended the online Q&A event that addressed what it takes to become a physician as a Black male.
After the screening of the documentary, participants had the opportunity to talk with a panel, which was composed of Black male physicians – including Drs. Errol Crook, Antwan Hogue, Coleridge Franklin and Johnson Haynes, Jr. – and medical student representatives from each class – including Zachary White, Kaleb Malone, Fred Chambers, Carey Johnson and Jelani Bender.
Kaleb Malone, a third-year medical student at the USA College of Medicine, said many of the questions from participants touched on the rigors of medical school.
“Having medical students represented from each class allowed for a more realistic perception of the path and hardships Black males face in their pursuit to become a physician,” he said. “This event enabled us to communicate to the next generation that becoming a physician is very achievable, which I believe is the first step on this journey. With persistent hard work, getting into medical school and persevering through becomes second nature. Many of the students that attended the webinar just needed to actually see Black men in white coats to believe they can do it, too.”
Fourth-year medical student Zachary White said he personally felt called to participate in the event. “Growing up, I didn’t have anyone in my family who was in the medical field,” he said. “However, my pastor was also my pediatrician, which ultimately led me to aspire to do the same when I grew up. You definitely have to see it to believe it.”
White said the virtual screening left him with a sense of pride. “After the event, I was proud to see so many Black men in medicine who are dedicated to ensuring that our medical workforce will look like the patients we treat,” he said. “My hope is that if just one young Black man was inspired to go into the medical field, we accomplished our goal that night. Many young Black men may never see a Black male doctor in their lives. I hope that we continue to reach those students early in the pipeline and help guide them through their journey of being successful physicians.”
Malone never met a Black male physician until he was a junior in college. “Knowing that Black males make up only 2 percent of all physicians is very alarming; however, seeing so many Black teenage males interested in medicine tells me that change is within our grasp if we remain diligent and active in the community,” Malone said. “I believe this event was a huge step in the right direction.”
Haynes believes the event proved beneficial for participants, medical students and faculty members alike. “It provided hope to young men who needed to see that becoming a physician doesn’t just have to be a dream if they believe, persevere and put in the work,” Haynes said. “For medical students, this event reaffirmed their commitment and realization of their roles as change agents and future leaders beyond healthcare, while allowing some to even express their pent up frustrations endured on their journey of becoming a physician. For faculty, the event provided a glimpse into the future, and that future is in good hands.”
The question and answer event ended with a remark from an anonymous participant. “No one believes in us, I do not even know if I believe in myself,” the young man said.
“We believe in you,” affirmed Errol Crook, M.D., professor and Abraham Mitchell Chair of Internal Medicine at the USA College of Medicine.
