Provider Quality

As a family physician and registered dietitian, during Black History Month, I reflect on the various fearless trailblazers in healthcare and other sectors who broke barriers and overcame extraordinary obstacles to make my life possible. Access to healthcare and poor health literacy are still issues plaguing the Black community. Generally, patients desire a patient-doctor relationship where they feel comfortable sharing their personal and medical history. From my experiences, my Black patients prefer Black physicians; however, there is a severe shortage of Black physicians, which is another barrier to seeking care for many Black Americans.

February marks Black History Month. Historically, African Americans have been tremendous contributors to our country and achieved great strides in promoting diversity and inclusivity, despite facing many barriers. I am very proud to be a part of the community and honored that there is a month dedicated to my heritage and our contributions.

Black History Month is a profound opportunity to honor the resilience, brilliance, and contributions of the Black community throughout history. For me, as President and CEO of the Urban League of Westchester County (ULWC), this month is both a celebration and a call to action—a reminder of how far we’ve come and the urgent work that remains.