Heartfelt Story Shows the Importance of Black Doctors

With many injustices still being done to the black community regarding systemic racism within the healthcare system, it is important to appreciate and celebrate the little things.

For India Marshall, it was the little things that came from the black surgeon, Dr. Jewel Greywoode's, thoughtful gestures emphasizing the importance of having more black health professionals.

India Marshall shared her heartfelt experience in late June on Twitter. The story quickly became viral and praised the actions of Dr. Jewel Greywoode. Picture from Twitter.

Dr. Jewel Greywoode rebraided Marshall’s hair and used staples to avoid cutting her hair.

Many other Twitter users responded to the story applauding Dr. Jewel Greywoode efforts as well as highlighting the importance of black health professionals. Words of encouragement, prayers, and positive affirmations fill the comment section and continue to grow.

Many heartstrings were pulled as people read the story in late June. Twitter users like Jadie_JO shared her reaction and discussed the importance that representation has on the advancement of black health. Picture from Twitter.

In recent years, racism has been deemed a public health issue in multiple states. Reasons vary amongst states but a handful relates to systemic racism in the healthcare system.

To counteract racial injustices, procedures need to be in place as well as recruiting more black doctors. Having more black doctors will allow another perspective, advancement in black health, and create more heartfelt stories like India Marshals.

The lack of representation throughout all races is evident in the pie chart from AAMC. Black people are the 5th least represented among others as of July 1, 2019.

To counteract racial injustices, procedures need to be in place as well as recruiting more black doctors. Having more black doctors will allow another perspective, advancement in black health, and create more heartfelt stories like India Marshalls.