The Legacy of a Black Physician: Dr. Uché Blackstock on Racism in Medicine

Jan 23, 2024

Dr. Uché Blackstock, a Black female physician and author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, discusses health disparities in the Black community, including lack of standardized care for sickle cell disease and high Black maternal mortality rates. She highlights the role of chronic stress due to systemic racism in perpetuating poor health outcomes. Dr. Uché and Morgan provide insight into how local community health, better practices in health leadership, and education can address these barriers.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Challenges of Being a Black Physician

02:27 • 15min

Challenges for Future Generations and the Backlash Against Diversity and Inclusion

17:46 • 2min

Addressing Bias and Disparities in Healthcare

19:32 • 5min

Creating Inclusive Work Environments and Holding Leadership Accountable

25:00 • 6min

Addressing Maternity Leave Policy and Encouraging Commitments

31:24 • 3min

This week on The Journey, Morgan DeBaun welcomes Dr. Uché Blackstock, a Black female physician and author of her newly released book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, for a conversation on health disparities in the Black community. The conversation kicks off with Dr. Uché sharing the inspiring story of her mother's journey to becoming a doctor and how the presence of other Black women doctors influenced Dr. Uché's own path in the medical field. She and Morgan delve into the themes of Dr. Uché's new book, exploring the challenges faced by Black physicians and the historical impacts on health outcomes for Black people.

Morgan and Dr. Uché discuss various health disparities within the Black community, from the lack of standardized care for patients with sickle cell disease to alarming statistics on Black maternal mortality rates. Dr. Uché explains the role of chronic stress due to racism and issues within the medical community in perpetuating patterns of poor health outcomes amongst Black individuals. She also expresses concern over the trend of health outcomes for Black people worsening instead of improving over the last few years.

While the conversation can feel frustrating and hopeless at times, Dr. Uché and Morgan provide insight into how focusing on local community health as well as better practices in health leadership and education can be the key to dismantling systemic barriers in healthcare. At the end of the episode, Morgan makes a commitment to reexamine Blavity's parental leave, and she encourages every listener to commit to being a part of the change as well. After you listen, make sure to reach out and share what action you are taking to make your community a healthier, safer place for people of color!