Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been the benchmark for many people of color when it comes to getting an education in health-related fields. For example, Xavier University in New Orleans is putting more black students in medical schools than Ivy League institutions. And while Howard University—or “Mecca” as Ta-Nehisi Coates calls it for its reputation as the holy land for black learning—is one of the very few black colleges with its own medical school, HBCUs only count for two percent of medical colleges. But black colleges house 31 percent of black chairs, 10 percent of black faculty, and 14 percent of black medical students nationwide. This type of leadership is crucial for many young people of color aspiring to make a mark in a field that has historically institutionally excluded them.
Low-income minorities being unable to find decent healthcare has been a devastating issue for decades, and the repeal of Obamacare has sent new waves of panic through the community. But ambitious health professionals from HBCUs are highly motivated and looking to change all of that, since many of them—and their communities—have experienced the challenges themselves.
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It seems idealistic to slam superman capes on future doctors and expect them to change the dynamics of health care for minorities. Not to mention, historically black colleges now have a President to deal with who questions the validity and value of funding HBCU programs in general. So we asked medical school students enrolled at HBCUs why they want to be doctors and how they plan to help minorities receive better care.
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