UW Magazine offers a deep look into what’s going on with enrollment at UW School of Medicine (UWSOM) and other medical schools around the nation. The article begins with UWSOM alums Rayburn Lewis, M.D., and John Vassall, M.D. and their experiences in the mid-1970s. The article continues,
Their careers as doctors, teachers, administrators and leaders over the past 45 years have afforded them a broad view of Seattle’s health care community. They’ve seen how the contributions of Black physicians helped make Seattle one of the most advanced medical communities in the country, and they’ve seen how, over decades, Black physicians served people from all cultures, backgrounds and levels of economic need.
“Our advocacy at the local, regional and national levels, and the changes we’ve advocated for in patient safety have measurably improved outcomes for all patients,” says Dr. Vassall.
Still, more than four decades later, they see the same low numbers of Black medical students and continued disparities in health care for the Seattle area’s Black residents…And today’s lack of doctors with the cultural competency to understand the experiences, challenges and medical needs of Black patients is a national concern.
The article includes comments from Paula Houston, Ed.D., Chief Equity Officer and Vice President for Medical Affairs at UW Medicine and Bessie Young, M.D., Vice Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for UW Medicine’s Office of Health Care Equity