Ep. 75 From Systemic Barriers to Action: OBGYN DEI Efforts with Dr. Teni Brown

There are tangible ways to advocate for health equity and address demographic disparities in patient care and the healthcare workforce. In this episode of the BackTable OBGYN Podcast, Dr. Teni Brown, an assistant professor of OBGYN at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, speaks with hosts Dr. Amy Park and Dr. Mark Hoffman about DEI efforts and ways she has made real change. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Brown shares her journey from Nigeria to the United States, detailing her path from middle school teacher to a leading advocate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the medical field. The conversation touches on systemic barriers in healthcare, the impact of historical practices like redlining, and practical steps institutions can take to foster a culture of equity. Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of sustained engagement, multi-level interventions, and action-oriented solutions to create a more diverse and inclusive medical workforce. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 05:44 - Equity in OBGYN: Workforce and Patient Care 08:41 - Advocacy for Medication Access 15:25 - Systemic Barriers and Social Determinants of Health 20:22 - Understanding Redlining and Its Impact 25:10 - Efforts to Address Inequities 34:14 - Equity and Diversity in Healthcare 36:39 - The Role of Leadership in Promoting Equity 44:08 - AI and Technology in Addressing Gaps 50:00 - Vision for a More Equitable Future 58:26 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement