Cardiovascular specialists publish article for anti-racism awareness in cardiology practices
On March 1, the final day of Black History Month and just after Heart Month – a group of researchers from across the nation have published an article aiming to unite the cardiovascular physician work force, bring awareness to the lack of diversity amongst cardiology professionals and promote methods of cultivating an anti-racist culture.
Cardiovascular specialists David Winchester M.D., M.S., University of Florida College of Medicine associate professor, Division of Cardiology; Lorrel Toft, M.D., UNR Med cardiologist, associate professor, along with colleagues, Nina Williams M.D., Warren Clinic Cardiology of Tulsa, a trainee of Dr. Toft and the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Louisville Cardiology Fellowship Program; Melanie Sulistio, M.D., University of Texas, Southwestern School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology; and Christine Chen, University of Texas, Southwestern School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, wanted to find a way to take proactive steps at a pivotal moment to build and reinforce an anti-racist culture in the cardiovascular workplace. In medicine, addressing racism means acknowledging and fixing disparate medical outcomes among minority communities and also fortifying inclusive workplace habits in a predominantly white field.