Turning the Page on Women of Color in Medicine
OUR STORY
A Passion for Medicine
Ever since the ages of 5 and 6, Kendra and Hailey would love to play physician and patient. Kendra would play the patient, and Hailey would be the doctor using tape as bandages and lotion as alcohol. They even pretended to give injections by poking one another with pens (don't try this at home)! They were always trying to find an opportunity to solve problems, whether it was how their paper cuts healed in a week or why they were able to bend their fingers. As they got older, they realized that is exactly what doctors do, they solve problems. Doctors ask questions like: Why is the patient vomiting or Why can't they move their neck? They participated in programs that allowed middle and high school students to learn more about the medical field. But unfortunately, they encountered many students who did not look like them, as well as doctors. So, they went on the internet and typed in "female doctors of color," and soon learned that only 3 % of doctors in America are African American females, and 2.4% of doctors in America are Hispanic females. There are numerous organizations for doctors of color but none for teens and tweens interested in becoming doctors. This is why they created Sisters with a Stethoscope, an opportunity for middle and high school girls to learn about different healthcare professions. By doing this, they hope to bridge the gap between Women of Color and Medicine!