Read on Twitter
1/ 10 It’s a long thread but I hope that it reaches the students that need it. In recent months I’ve had the opportunity to advise minority MD students. Talking to them I’ve realized that many students venture into #medicine without knowing how special and unique they are.
2/10 Many students were at the top of their HS/college class, and/or overcome difficult situations in life, yet when surrounded by a white and/or privileged majority they feel less than. I’ll get to the why another day but today I want to help students find their confidence.
3/10 I’ll start by emphasizing that diversity is necessary for science & medicine to move forward. Example: When I was an intern my attending asked my residents why ferritin goes up in anemia of inflammation. My residents didnt know. (this GIF is literally how I remember them)
4/10 Back then ferritin was the new hot thing. So then the attending asks me and, I hate to humble brag but, I explained in 30 secs or less the pathophysiology. The three of them (all male) asked me how did I know that. I looked at them like: How do you not?
5. That was the moment I realized that I could contribute something to my team that they couldn't. That day I found my confidence as a physician. I learned that what made me different also made me special. I wanted to understand why/how disease happens and they wanted to treat it
6/10 They wanted to read clinical trials & I wanted to understand the disease. We are both equally important in the treatment of a patient yet I contributed different information. The point of the story is: FIND YOUR THING.
7/10 The thing that makes YOU different will likely lead you down YOUR PATH. The path you were created to lead or follow. That “thing” is usually something that you are already passionate about. It’s usually something that you love doing even in your time off.
8/10 This “thing” is what will make you shine and will help you find your confidence. If you feel like you don’t belong in a group, that’s ok. Own the feeling and ask yourself: why do you think you don’t belong? That might be “your thing”.
9/10 Are you the only hispanic, black, asian, gay, transgender, physician/scientist, health equity person in your group? That’s ok! Own it because we need you! We need your experiences and knowledge so we can take better care of our patients.
10/10 Our students & residents are living through one of the most difficult times in their careers. That + the isolation that the pandemic has created is a ticking time bomb so I truly hope this helps someone find their way. @LatinasInMed @WCMDiversityCtr @SusanaMoralesM8
