Celebrating Black History Month

1. What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month serves as an opportunity to pay tribute to my forebears. Throughout this month, I will place a significant emphasis on engaging with media crafted by Black individuals for a Black audience. I will commemorate the freedom and rights that my Black ancestors ardently fought for.

2. Why do you believe Black History Month is important?

I immigrated to the United States from Nigeria as a young child. As I have grown older, I've noticed the gradual erosion of the cultures and traditions I embraced in my childhood. This month serves as a catalyst for me to actively engage with the rich and diverse contributions of Black individuals. By actively participating in Black cultures, we safeguard against the risk of losing them over time.

3. Who has served as an inspiration in your life? How?

Dr. Alaina James, a Black woman and dermatologist whom I met at the University of Pittsburgh. I encountered her during my first year as a medical student when she interviewed me for a scholarship. I was inspired by her dedication to working in free clinics, educating trainees about racism in medicine, and her research on environmental triggers for cutaneous diseases. She serves as a model for what I aspire to achieve in my career in dermatology.

4. Why do you think it is important for the Black community to be represented in the medical field?

There is a slim likelihood that I would have pursued medical school or entered the field of dermatology without the guidance of Black physicians. Black patients face an elevated risk of poor health outcomes due to biases in healthcare. Inclusion and representation within the healthcare sector bring forth alternative perspectives that ultimately contribute to the enhancement of health outcomes.

5. What is your best piece of advice for young Black professionals who are pursuing a career in the medical field?

Stay confident, nurture relationships, and develop a rich identity outside of medicine. Especially for Black individuals, the path through medical training is tumultuous. It is crucial to remain focused on your strengths and to remember that you deserve to be here. This journey is too challenging and lengthy to undertake alone, so recall your mentors and never hesitate to take on a mentee. By cultivating a rich identity outside of medicine, your self-worth grows, enabling you to be resilient in the face of the tribulations of training.

Tito Onyekweli is a fourth-year medical student at University of Pittsburgh, currently applying into dermatology. After graduating from the University of Maryland, he spent his initial post-graduate years working as a wastewater engineer on the Chesapeake Bay, where he volunteered on a Zika Emergency Response Team. Fascinated with the interconnectedness between human health and ecological systems, Tito changed his career trajectory and pursued a two-year research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Undiagnosed Diseases Program prior to medical school where he studied rare in-born errors of metabolism. In medical school, Tito has studied how teledermatology is equally as effective in managing a variety of conditions as in-person consultations.

Tito demonstrated leadership from an early stage as he led his matriculating class in creating an oath that established their professional identities as changemakers, and allies of those historically underserved in medicine. Their efforts garnered public acclaim by national news outlets, including the Washington Post, NPR, and AMA.

He has made immense contributions to the Pitt Med curriculum by service to the Curriculum Reform committee where he made recommendations and evaluated the candidacy of faculty educators. Additionally, Tito is performing research to understand how Pitt Med student attitudes changed following their participation in a new course on Racism in Medicine. Further, Tito designed and coordinated a ten-week course offering didactic and practical sessions exposing students to neurological pathologies.

Tito hopes to focus on patients with complex dermatological conditions as they transition from pediatric to adult care. Further, he hopes to combine his background in the environmental sciences to better environmental contributors to cutaneous disease.

Tito is an avid adventure athlete, competing in mountain biking, and whitewater stand-up paddleboarding, events. He has been featured in a docuseries about whitewater paddlers, written articles for paddling magazines, consulted with paddling brands for product design and has twice been featured in the American Whitewater calendar. Additionally, he works with outdoor organizations to expand their reach to diverse audiences. He finds immense joy leading outdoor trips with peers, paddle boarding, cycling, hiking, and skiing

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is necessary to honor those who achieved success when it was nearly impossible to do so within the American landscape. It's a time for remembrance, to honor debts already paid, and to re-dedicate ourselves to excellence.

Why do you believe Black History Month is important?

In a culture with an unbroken lineage, it would be traditionally common for your parents and grandparents—great grandparents to pass down stories of the past throughout the families in an intact linear way. In Black American culture, the lineage has been broken, and opportunities to pass down stories or even know the true history is fleeting. Black History Month forces the memorialization of our history. It makes us remember that it's essential to tell these stories so that we can embrace the successes we've achieved, the struggles endured and overcome, and our continued excellence and perseverance for achievement in the future.

Does Black American heritage influence your work? If so, how?

I am a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. member, founded in 1911. There are physicians among our fraternity's founders who believed in and displayed excellence in their lives and careers. I can't imagine how difficult it was to become a physician in 1911 in the United States of America. I honor my forefathers by maintaining a higher level of excellence in my work, inspiring the same in those who follow behind me, and dedicating myself to achievement in my chosen field of human endeavor, medicine.

Why do you think it is important for people with Black American heritage to be involved in the medical field?

It's critically important for people with Black American heritage to be involved in medicine because it's been proven that Black Americans receive better healthcare when seen by physicians who look like themselves. The percentage of Black physicians must mirror that of the general population to ensure equality in healthcare delivery throughout the country.

What is your best piece of advice for people with Black American heritage who are pursuing a career in the medical field?

If you are a person of Black Heritage pursuing a career in medicine, it's essential to reach out to members of your community that are already in careers that you're interested in to help guide you early in your career path, even before you decide to head to medical school. It is essential because there's a high probability that you don't have a relative who is a physician with intimate knowledge of how to navigate through the system and prepare for success. Your ultimate goals are accomplished ultimately with mentorship and guidance instead of plowing through with no help on your own. 

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What does Black History Month mean to you?

I have a sense of pride and satisfaction as I, along with the larger society, learn more about the achievements and contributions that Black Americans have made in history and continue to make for the good of all people. Because of our country's racial history, many of the contributions of Black Americans were minimized and/or never told. So, Black History Month is one way to correct some of the misconceptions about the contributions of Black Americans.

Why do you believe Black History Month is important?

As a nurse, for example, many of the contributions of Black Nurses to my nursing profession are unknown. The contributions of Black nurses runs wide and deep and not only helped shape nursing, but helped to rewrite laws, and confound conventional wisdom regarding the abilities of African Americans. The many contributions also included helping to set the stage for the civil rights and women’s movements.

Does Black American heritage influence your work? If so, how?

Absolutely. For most of my life, I have been the "only one". For instance in my undergraduate and most of the graduate school education, I was the only Black nurse. This ignited my passion to ensure that diverse nurses entering the profession of nursing feel supported, empowered and granted the opportunity to excel in any role they chose. The diversity of values and experiences that different groups bring to problems has proven to give better results.

Why do you think it is important for people with Black American heritage to be involved in the medical field?

There are 28 million uninsured individuals, disproportionately represented by minorities, and a nursing workforce that only includes 7% Black Nurses. Research has shown that increasing the number of diverse registered nurses and others in all health professions will better address the needs of highly vulnerable, underserved populations and enhance the quality of care provided.

What is your best piece of advice for people with Black American heritage who are pursuing a career in the medical field?

Stay focused to achieve your goals and seek mentors to help guide your thinking. Now more that ever, we need your passion, talent, life experiences and commitment. 

Connect with Gaurdia Banister on LinkedIn
Watch her University of Wyoming Nursing Alumna Video
Listen to a Podcast with Gaurdia: Why We Need More Diversity in Nursing

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is a time to celebrate diversity and inclusion, while reflecting on the contributions and resilience of the Black community. It is a time to remember the countless Black people who fought for freedom and rights in America and around the world to pave a brighter future for subsequent generations. It not only highlights the people and events that shaped the progress of African Americans, but also the beauty of Black culture as a whole.

Why do you believe Black History Month is important?

Black History Month is an important reminder to reflect on and celebrate American history through recognizing the contributions of African Americans to all sectors of society. It is a time to showcase and educate while facilitating understanding of the African American story. It is necessary to remember this story to prevent repeating the past and undoing all the progress that countless have died working towards. It is a time to focus on the continuing injustices and challenges faced by the Black community in America and abroad. However, our history is marked, but not defined, by these injustices. Black History Month inspires African Americans and other people of color to chase opportunities that would have been unimaginable in the past. It serves as extra motivation to keep progressing in terms of equality and opportunities because although this country has come a long way, there is still a long way to go.

Does Black American heritage influence your work? If so, how?

As an African American who is the daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, my cross-cultural background does influence my work. Ghanaian culture is very community-centered, with Ghanaiains treating everyone like family regardless of whether they are related or not. This same value of community is predominant in African American heritage. It inspires the way that I approach my current endeavors, such as how I actively seek community through joining research groups, and how I will approach medicine in the future: through treating each of my patients with the same quality of care that I would provide for my own family. My African American heritage reminds me of the struggle our forefathers went through to get us where we are today. I am standing on the shoulders of their sacrifices and have a commitment to advance their vision. This further energizes me to have the drive and passion to give back to my community.

Why do you think it is important for people with Black American heritage to be involved in the medical field?

I have witnessed firsthand the health disparities experienced by African Americans. I spent my early life in a medically underserved area with a predominantly minority population where there was a lack of quality healthcare providers in or near the town. Additionally, through my clinical research on the cardio-toxic effects of cancer therapy, I saw firsthand how the African American community is often at higher risk for adverse heart events. These experiences and countless more have crystalized for me the importance of diversifying the medical field to include more African Americans. An extra motivation is the disheartening statistic from the Association of American Medical Colleges that only 5% of physicians are Black or African American even though this group represents about 13% of the US population. Increasing the diversity of the physician workforce will help reduce racial inequalities in healthcare and improve doctor-patient cross-cultural challenges and encounters.

What is your best piece of advice for people with Black American heritage who are pursuing a career in the medical field?

I would advise people with African American heritage looking to pursue a career in medicine to actively seek mentors to support them along their medical journey. My mentors have given me valuable insights into the expectations of the medical field and have provided me with several professional opportunities. Pursuing medicine is a call to service that requires sacrifices and a commitment to the profession. Thus, having a support network is crucial for overcoming challenges that you will encounter along the way and will keep you motivated in spite of the underrepresentation of African Americans in this field. 

Active malignancy increases the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) by four- to seven-fold. The risk of VTE, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, in patients with cancer varies based on several clinical factors, such as cancer stage and age.

However, race and ethnicity are also associated with increased VTE risk. Black (African American) patients with cancer have a higher risk of developing VTE than White patients, while Asian/Pacific Islanders have a lower risk. 

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About the Journal

What does Black History Month mean to you?

BHM was conceived in 1925 by Carter Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian.  It was first celebrated in 1926 during a week of February which was the birthday month of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.  I believe it is a way to remember the struggles, accomplishments and successes of our ancestors from the African continent.  It is a way to acknowledge the rich, multiple and disparate cultures that resulted from the African diaspora.

Why do you believe Black History Month is important?

I believe it is important for any group that has been historically marginalized and/or disadvantaged to remember its heritage lest it be forgotten through the passage of time.  This is especially critical to the development of the younger generation who should take pride in their heritage.

Does Black American heritage influence your work? If so, how?

Yes and no. My heritage has little bearing on the day-to-day management of patients of all ethnicities, however as black dually-trained vascular and skull base tumor neurosurgeon (and one of the very few former black chairmen of neurosurgery), I am always aware that I continue serve as a role model to a new generation of young men and women who might not otherwise consider neurosurgery as a career choice.

Why do you think it is important for people with Black American heritage to be involved in the medical field?

Health care disparities are still prevalent in our society with African Americans suffering a disproportionate risk of certain disorders such as stroke, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and stroke. The reasons are varied but it is clear that increasing the proportion of minority physicians in our communities can only help to bridge the cultural divide and facilitate the dissemination of sound medical and lifestyle advice to members of underserved communities.

What is your best piece of advice for people with Black American heritage who are pursuing a career in the medical field?

Set lofty goals and then devise a concrete plan to achieve them. Don't be reticent about seeking advice and help from a variety of sources.  Seek out mentors and aim for the skies! Also remember to recharge by getting enough exercise, sleep and connecting with family. 

Designed to evaluate candidates’ expertise and provide direction for continued learning, the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) primary (written) examination is a required step to attaining board certification in the U.S. The rigorous exam requires substantial preparation. This essential board prep review mirrors the exam’s multiple-choice format and seven sections: neurosurgery, clinical neurology, neuroanatomy, neurobiology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, and clinical skills/critical care. 

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Alexa Canady is the first Black female neurosurgeon. She specializes in pediatric surgery, and has a great regard for patient care: “…it is so important that patients are able to talk to you and not regard you as some deity above them.” 

Black History Month - National Academy of Medicine (nam.edu)

Celebrating 10 African-American medical pioneers | AAMC

In 1973, Patricia Bath was the first Black American to complete a residency in ophthalmology (NYU). She went on to become the first woman ophthalmologist on the faculty at Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and was appointed assistant chief of the King-Drew-UCLA Ophthalmology Residency Program in 1974, and chief in 1983. She went on to become the first Black American female doctor to receive a medical patent in 1988 when she developed the laserphaco probe, a medical device that improves on the use of lasers to remove cataracts. 

Patricia Bath - Biography, Ophthalmologist, Inventor

Helen Octavia Dickens was an American physician, medical and social activist, health equity advocate, researcher, health administrator, and health educator. She was the first African-American woman to be admitted to the American College of Surgeons in 1950, and specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Fascinating Facts from the College: Helen Octavia Dickens Paved the Way for Surgeons Who Followed Her | ACS (facs.org)

In 1943, Myra Adele Logan became the first African-American woman to perform open-heart surgery. She also developed a slower X-ray process that more accurately detected differences in tissue density, an indication of tumors. 

Black History Month - National Academy of Medicine (nam.edu)

Celebrating 10 African-American medical pioneers | AAMC

In 1929, William Montague Cobb, MD, earned his MD from Howard University Medical School. In 1932 at Case Western Reserve University, he became the first Black American to earn a PhD in physical anthropology where he worked on the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection. He returned to the Howard University Medical School where he taught for the majority of his career and established the W. Montague Cobb Skeletal Collection. He went on to become Howard University's first distinguished professor in 1969 and became professor emeritus in 1973. 

Dr. W.M. Cobb Video | Black in Anatomy

Louis T. Wright as an American surgeon, inventor, and civil rights activist. He joined the Army Medical Corps as a lieutenant during WWI, where he introduced the intradermal vaccination technique for smallpox. He was also the first African-American on the surgical staff of a non-segregated hospital in NYC.

Black History Month - National Academy of Medicine (nam.edu)

Celebrating 10 African-American medical pioneers | AAMC

William Augustus Hinton was the first Black professor at Harvard. He developed a test for syphilis that was incredibly accurate and significantly less painful than prior tests, and was adopted for use by the U.S. Public Health Service. 

Black History Month - National Academy of Medicine (nam.edu)

Celebrating 10 African-American medical pioneers | AAMC

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, graduated with an M.D. degree in 1883 at Chicago Medical College. In 1891, he opened the Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses, now called Provident Hospital of Cook County in Chicago which was the first Black-owned and first non-segregated hospital in the United States. Two year later in 1893, he became the first surgeon to performed open-heart surgery, saving the life James Cornish who had been was stabbed in the chest. 

Daniel Hale Williams and the First Successful Heart Surgery | Columbia Surgery

Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD, was originally a nurse who attended the New England Female Medical College, Boston, MA and in 1864 became the first Black American woman in the United States to receive a MD degree. She went on to treat freed slaves after the Civil War and wrote “A Book of Medical Discourses: In Two Parts” which was published in 1883. 

Changing the Face of Medicine | Rebecca Lee Crumpler (nih.gov)

In 1837, James McCune Smith, MD, was the first Black American to receive a MD degree. He received his degree from the University of Glasgow Medical School as he was not accepted into a medical school in the United States because of his race. Additionally, he was the first Black American to own and operate a pharmacy in the United States and be published in a U.S. Medical Journal. 

Rediscovering the Life and Legacy of James McCune Smith | New-York Historical Society (nyhistory.org)