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May 25, 2022 57 mins

Is a diverse healthcare workforce enough to eradicate racism in medicine?

The short is no.

 Using race to remedy racism is not enough. 

And let's talk about why with four Black providers in reproductive health: an OBGYN, a nurse midwife, a traditional midwife, and a midwifery student.

Tune in to hear the benefits of adding more Black folks to the healthcare workforce, as well as how this diversity-based approach is an incomplete strategy to remedy health inequity, including:

  • The ways racism is embedded into healthcare education, training, tools and systems
  • How harm can be reproduced in medical settings regardless of the race of the provider 
  • How Black folks can have poor experiences with Black providers
  • Alternative and additional strategies to ensure better health experiences and outcomes for Black pregnant and birthing people

GUESTS
Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE, FACOG is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and was recently appointed as Chair and Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of  SUNY-Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine and School of Public Health. Full interview on Patreon (00:57:15)

Efe Osaren has been a doula since 2014 and is currently completing her midwifery education. She has served over 200 families and is crowdfunding  to help pay for her license and board exam. Efe is also a reproductive justice advocate and is the Founder of Doula Chronicles. Full interview on Patreon (01:16:10)

Nubia Earth Martin is a Community Birth Worker, Traditional Midwife, and Founder/President of Birth from The Earth Inc., a non-profit organization steeped in education and empowerment, providing a variety of health and wellness services. Full interview on Patreon (01:10:23)

Melissa Thomas* is a Black nurse midwife working in a major metropolitan area who has attended over 350 births in her career spanning over a decade in primarily hospital settings. She came on the podcast anonymously and her name has been changed to protect her identity. Full interview on Patreon (01:03:47)

SUPPORT!

Visit www.BlackWomensLabor.com to learn more and to access the studies Dr. Clare referenced in the episode.

CREDITS

Creator, Host and HBIC: Taja Lindley

Audio Engineering by Lilah Larson

Music by Emma Alabaster who also served as the Pre-Production Associate Producer

Additional Music Production by Chip Belton

Vocals by Patience Sings

Mixing and Mastering by Chip Belton

Lyrics by Taja Lindley and Emma Alabaster

Logo and Graphic Design Templates by Homegirl HQ

This podcast is produced by Colored Girls Hustle 

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