Aleta Simmons, MD, FAAD

Did this week’s episode on snagging those golden letters of recommendation hit the mark? 🎯 If you found it helpful, tag your study buddy who needs to see it too! And don’t forget to catch the full series on YouTube. It’s almost as exciting as getting your acceptance letter! 👩🏾‍🎓👨🏾‍🎓🥼👩🏾‍⚕️👨🏾‍⚕️🩺 #blackmedconnect #bmed #lettersofrecommendation #medschool #careerdevelopment #tips

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Ever felt overwhelmed during your med school journey or thought about how you’ll handle stress in your medical career? Tap into Part 2 of our Eagle Edition of the B-MED Amplified Tour, now streaming! 🎥✨ Check out the wealth of valuable information waiting for you on the Black Med Connect YouTube channel. Have you discovered your favorite tip yet? Share your thoughts below! #BMED #BlackMedConnect #MedStudentLife #FutureDocs #Advice #MedicalSchool #lifehacks

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*ICYMI*: Survey by KFF shows "Black Women Report More Pervasive Negative Experiences in Health Care Compared to Other Groups" In summary, Black women are reporting more pervasive negative experiences in healthcare than other groups. ✅We are more likely to report unfair treatment and to practice vigilant behavior. ✅Younger Black women and those with darker skin are more likely to report unfair treatment. ✅One in three Black women says these negative experiences make them want to avoid seeking care resulting in worse health ✅Black women who have racially concordant clinicians report more positive interactions. Link: https://lnkd.in/eU7YXA7u

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Four years have passed since the murder of Mr. George Floyd, leading to a flurry of anti-racism institutional pledges across America. Today, DEI policies are under attack across the country, despite their potential role in addressing healthcare disparities, like Black youth suicide.   Black youth are in crisis and have been for over 20 years, and Black youth suicide rates are rising faster than any other racial/ethnic group. Poverty and lack of access to mental healthcare are often cited as major contributing factors, but there is another far more insidious problem: even when Black children do access mental health, they be further harmed instead of helped. Medical racism, the racist behavior of medical professionals, can and does lead to devastating lapses in the care of Black youth, but there is no brave spaces to discuss them out in the open—until now.   The inaugural Black Youth Mental Health Clinical Case Conference Series, directed by my mentee, Dr. Amanda Calhoun, has been ongoing since January 2024 at the Yale Child Study Center. Experts met monthly to discuss cases of Black youth struggling with complex mental health issues, where medical racism was a primary contributor to the poor care they received. This is not just any case conference! It is open to everyone, no matter their background and expertise, and it uses vivid storytelling bringing the experience of the children and their treaters to life without shying away from the calling up the people harming them.   Join me, in person or virtually, for the final session of this remarkable, one-of-a kind series on Wednesday, June 12 from 6:15pm-8:15pm ET. We need more than pledges to take a stand against racism and people talking the talk. We need people to show up and walk the walk. Here is your chance!   Register here: https://lnkd.in/etVMYjxS

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Just read an insightful article about the challenges and solutions in increasing the number of Black physicians. As a Black male gastroenterologist, I see firsthand the importance of having doctors who reflect the communities we serve. Beyond addressing health disparities, more Black doctors enhance trust, empathy, and relatability in patient care across all backgrounds. Supporting diversity in medicine is crucial for building a more equitable and effective healthcare system. We can do better https://lnkd.in/e_uGVjbG

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