In the previous issue of EVMS Magazine, we paid tribute to surgeon L.D. Britt, MD, MPH. Dr. Britt is Chair of Surgery at EVMS who was honored last year as the only Virginia physician elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
He also happens to be African-American. When Dr. Britt attended medical school in the 1970s, he had few African-American classmates. No one expected that the number of black men enrolled in medical school today would still be about the same as it was when Dr. Britt graduated.
African-Americans account for about 13 percent of the U.S. population but only about 6 percent of all physicians. And twice as many black women are entering medical school as black men. What is behind the lack of black males in medicine? Our Black & White story explores the reasons — as well as the ways EVMS is tackling this important national issue.
Last year, Paul Marik, MBBCh, Professor of Internal Medicine and Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, took on another important issue, this one with global ramifications. Read about the astounding results of Dr. Marik’s new lifesaving treatment for sepsis.
Lifesaving is also how some patients might describe Western Tidewater Free Clinic. Not only does this safety-net clinic provide compassionate care to the unemployed and working poor in Western Tidewater, it is a vital training site for EVMS students and residents. Discover how the clinic helps EVMS live up to our community-focused vision.
Please know that we consider serving the healthcare needs of our friends and neighbors to be an honor and privilege. Thank you for standing with EVMS in this meaningful endeavor.
