Fresh Air Best Of: Black Doctors Consortium Founder / The Life Of A Brain Surgeon
Aug 17, 2024
Dr. Ayla Stanford, a pediatric surgeon and founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, recounts her pivotal work during the pandemic, bringing health equity to marginalized communities. She shares her innovative strategies for providing COVID-19 tests and vaccines directly in underserved areas. Dr. Theodore Schwartz, a neurosurgeon and author of "Gray Matters," discusses the evolution of brain surgery, highlighting advancements in technology that transform surgical methods and improve patient outcomes, all while reflecting on the emotional weight of operating on the human brain.
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From OR to Parking Lot
- A shoulder injury and carpal tunnel made Dr. Stanford question her surgical career.
- She realized she saved more lives providing COVID care in parking lots.
Race as a Barrier
- Dr. Stanford's friends, who were Black and had means, were turned away from COVID testing.
- This revealed that race, not poverty, was the barrier, prompting broader action.
Persistence Pays Off
- Dr. Stanford persistently requested COVID tests despite initial rejections.
- Her persistence paid off, and she secured 500 test kits.
