What exactly do we mean by “cascading mentorship” and where does that fit into the Ladder? That phrase (hat-tip to University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science) captures t…

Source: Cascading Mentorship

I look back over my career and realize something very important. Every patient I cared for, every position I held and every time I had the courage to change my location provided an opportunity for my professional and personal growth. There were painful moments of uncertainty and regret but they gave me strength and determination. It was really the colleagues I worked with that in their small ways lifted me beyond those difficult moments and allowed me to develop my clinical skills.

When I started in academic Family Medicine in 1996, there were so few African-American and Latino educators in Family Medicine. Unfortunately, that is still true but for those of us who are there, we are committed to the next generation. Those pioneers that I met are still paving the way for me and others through their work.  I have been fortunate to have those mentors call upon me to assume leadership roles they have held.  I always say “are you sure?” and they answer “yes”. They show support by just making sure they say “please call me if you have any questions.” Believe me I have so many times.  I value their experience and wisdom.

I am fortunate enough to be mentoring some wonderful African-American women who are so intelligent and full of great ideas to impact our profession. They are medical students about to graduate and residents on their way to starting their careers.  They have a unique prospective because they are first generation medical professionals who come from hard-working families.  They show the same concern I do about the small numbers of underrepresented minorities (URM) in medicine.  They are especially concerned about the low number of URM males.

I was fortunate enough to have one of my mentorees ask me to do a mock interview with her cousin who was having a big interview at a very prestigious medical school. On the day of our call, we went through some questions.  I asked him “why he wanted to go into medicine”.  And he gave me the usual answer.  I found myself telling him, that we have heard that before.  “Tell me who you are and why you should be here?”  He then told me about his family and his personal commitment to be in medicine and care for patients. I was almost in tears as he opened up and shared his family’s struggle. I told him “that is the story you tell.” He is now accepted into that school.  He will have to work hard but they saw in him what I did.  He is a Black male who if provided the opportunity will impact medicine by just being a role model for so many others.

Each time I am contacted to talk with someone about how to navigate getting into medical school, I am so angered by the misinformation they have received. This goes back to 1996, when I met a young man who with some direction is now a successful medical professional.  I still have the letter that the Dean of his medical school sent informing me they had accepted him. He thanked me for my encouragement and support.

Mentoring is what revives my spirit and renews my hope. Every time I meet with one of my mentees, it is an exchange of ideas and the energy that is palpable. I have had the opportunity to mentor a diverse group of medical students and residents.   I edit articles, give advice on career opportunities or just listen to what is happening in their personal life: the wedding plans, the choice to go into Obstetrics and not family medicine or choose a fellowship.  I do have  a copy of almost every letter I have written.  I enjoy reading each one.  They have gone on to successful careers.  I have pictures of new babies and see journal articles and presentations they are doing. One student is now a successful Urologist.  I remember his interview. If you just looked at the paper, you would have passed him over. He told me his story. At that interview, I saw such potential in him and he proved me right. I have so many of these stories. They all are such bright stars.

There are so many ways you can be a mentor. I want to thank all those who have mentored me and allowed me to be a mentor to them.

Source: Black History Month: Time to Appoint an African-American Female to the US Supreme Court

My friend Lisa Winkler  invited me to join in this “blog party,” where we write what we’re grateful for. The rules required we set a timer for 10 minutes and then write.  I  cheated a bit because I could not set the timer  and just write for 10 minutes. I did this in between patients.  They are in no particular order. I am grateful for :

1. My Husband of 30 years, Leroy
2. My children whom I am not allowed to name
3. My mother who is the rock of our family
4. My three sisters
5. My handsome nephews
6. My dear friend since medical school who taught me to be brave and keep myself open to the Universe.
7. My wonderful colleagues
8. For my mentors
9. All my mentees
10. My teachers there are too many of you to list
11. All my patients who have allowed me the privilege to participate in your health care
12. Meharry Medical College for admitting me into medical school
13. All my friends who have have supported me
14. My Yoga teachers
15. Yoga,  for teaching me discipline and  showing me how far I can go if I try
16. Learning to be fearless and just allowing life to happen
17. Farmers Markets.  I love the fresh food.
18. Meditation because  taught me to be calm and focused
19. Being a US Citizen even though our politics is messed up
20. Being an African American.  It has taught me resilience and how to make it against all odds
21. Adele, who gives me goose bumps every time I hear her sing- Reminds me of listening to Phyllis Hyman, Roberta Flack and Randi Crawford
22. Oprah and Deepak teaming up for the Meditation Challenge
23. For PBS for giving us Downtown Abbey, Nova, Grantchester, Dr. Blake and Miss Fisher just to name a few.
24. Star Wars
25. Lupita Nyonga who is just beautiful in every way
26. Viola Davis who is just amazing to watch
27. The Obama Family for just being here
28. President Obama who is just trying to keep it real.
29. Donald Trump who is making us all get riled up and hopefully we will go to the polls and vote
30. Desserts
31. Vacations
32. Family Reunions-All my aunts, uncles and cousins
33. My faith
34. Reading books
35. Harper Lee for writing “Go Set a Watchman”
36. Black Lives Matter – I know but it is important
37. Shopping
38. Movies- thank you TCM channel
39. The Society of Teachers for Family Medcine
40. All my residents past and present.
41. Planned Parenthood for being there
42. Trips to ceans
43. sunsets
44. Neil Degrasse Tyson who has reminded me to look up
45. My new book group
46. My NJIT family
47. Learning to enjoy each moment
48. BBQ chicken wings
49. Chocolate
50. Natural Hair and my new hair stylist

December 1 was my husband’s 72nd birthday. It marked 332 birthdays that we have celebrated together. That is hard to believe. December 1 is his birthday but it is also World Aids Day. The first World Aids Day was Dec 1, 1988 which was 27 years ago. I witnessed the first documented case in our hospital in 1983 when I was a resident. Five years later during my Family Medicine residency, we would diagnose many cases in men, women and children. My residency and pediatrics rotation provided an opportunity to unfortunately hospitalize several children who had AIDS. I provided care to many patients and watched too many of them die over a period of 12 years.

It is difficult for new physicians to understand how we all become so involved in the care of patients who had AIDS.  I was the only provider who was willing or trained  to care for my patients until I was joined by another colleague who shared my passion.

Now,  despite all the new information that we have to prevent infection, there are a rising number of new HIV infections in young African American and Hispanic males. This can also lead to an increase in infections in women. The irony is that we relaxed the push to get information out there to this group. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), African Americans represent approximately 12% of the U.S. population, but accounted for an estimated 44% of new HIV infections in 2010. Also, Hispanics/Latinos represented 16% of the population but accounted for 21% of new HIV infections in 2010. Of those living with HIV in 2009, Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 19% and Blacks accounted for 44%. Sadly in 2010, the greatest number of new HIV infections (4,800) among MSM (men who have sex with men) occurred in young black/African American MSM aged 13–24. Young black MSM accounted for 45% of new HIV infections among black MSM and 55% of new HIV infections among young MSM overall. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html

I now only provide primary care to patients who have HIV/AIDS but I do know that I will be diagnosing and referring new patients for treatment. I am recommitted by these statistics to get the news out to a new generation. Safe sex through use of condoms is essential to prevention. However, the sad truth is that 1 in 6 people with HIV do not know they have been infected. Getting tested is important. Let’s get the information out there. For more information http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/hiv-aids/