(Hi everyone! I wrote this piece a few weeks ago when life was just a little much. I almost didn't share it, but I felt that it was important to be vulnerable in hopes that it would help someone else. So hopefully this is helpful. Like, Comment, and Share!) One of my favorite books is … Continue reading Can We Talk: A Selfish Post.
Health
Words.
I remember the first time I was called the N-word. I was around eleven years old and my family was driving to Virginia Beach for a family vacation. I looked over at the car next to us and this woman was yelling out her car to us "NI---R! NI---R!" My mom asked me if I … Continue reading Words.
The Magical Negro: Validating Black Patients’ Pain.
Recently, there have been multiple news articles addressing how Black people are not receiving adequate validation of their pain in healthcare settings. Jahi McMath's case was a prime example of this. Jahi was a 13 year old girl who was declared brain as a result of complications from a tonsillectomy. Though she is more well … Continue reading The Magical Negro: Validating Black Patients’ Pain.
The Cost of the Slay.
"Either way, there is no sustainable accountability on the front end for the operation. No hospital, no ethics committee, and no advocacy. "
Can We Talk: Recovering from a Bioethical Crisis.
So we have made it to the end of the holiday season and the beginning of a new year! I am finishing up my personal carton of eggnog (because I don't believe in sharing) as we speak. But this year, I am especially reflective because I lost a loved one in a bioethical crisis this … Continue reading Can We Talk: Recovering from a Bioethical Crisis.
The Healthcare Provider Code Switch.
You know, I don't remember life without needing to code switch. It was a crucial skill for me - matching how I acted to who I was around and where I was. I have two phone voices. I enunciate my words at school, but I let myself slur and speak ebonics at home. I temper my … Continue reading The Healthcare Provider Code Switch.
Hurricaned Hospitals and Stormy Support.
Personally, I don't have the heart to keep watching the news - especially with all of the natural disasters going on. However, when I forced myself to tune in, I did see on the news was President Trump throwing rolls of paper towels into the crowd in Puerto Rico like t-shirts at a sporting event. … Continue reading Hurricaned Hospitals and Stormy Support.
Cities, 9/11, and Baby Teeth.
I love cities. I grew up in the D.C. Metropolitan Area suburbs, but I spent most of my literal-24-hour-day in Washington, D.C. After I graduated from college, I officially moved to one of my favorite cities for the first time - Philadelphia. I'm still in love with Philly, even though I've since moved to Boston. … Continue reading Cities, 9/11, and Baby Teeth.
Minority Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jaysson Brooks
Multiple studies have shown that minorities prefer and open up more to minority physicians. Most of you also know that one of the goals of this blog is to encourage minorities to insert themselves into the healthcare system. So it seemed fitting to start a new series on The Neighborhood Bioethicist called Minority Physician Spotlight. … Continue reading Minority Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jaysson Brooks
THE TOOLKIT: Addressing Racism, Silence, and Privilege in Higher Education and Healthcare
(Every once in a while, I love to have someone else take over the blog for the week and elaborate on their own personal contributions to healthcare and minority health in general. This week, I asked my friend Derrick Young to be "The Neighborhood Bioethicist" and talk about his passion project. Check out his post … Continue reading THE TOOLKIT: Addressing Racism, Silence, and Privilege in Higher Education and Healthcare
The neighborhood bioethicist 