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"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." |
---Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
There is increasing need to provide excellent and equitable health care to "vulnerable" (often the poor, underrepresented minorities, or non-English speaking) individuals. To improve care in underserved areas, need to increase access to physicians in these communities. The recent passage of the Affordable Care Act by the federal government is one method for improving access to medical care.
"The art of thinking independently together" (Malcolm Forbes)
Diversity is important for:
U.S. 2011 Census (Racial and Gender Make-up)![]() |
Racial and Gender Make-up of Ophthalmologists in 2008 (AAMC Data)![]() |
The National Medical Association (NMA) is the oldest minority physician group in the US, with a major focus on eliminating health care disparities experienced by the elderly, poor, and disenfranchised, especially minorities. These groups often experience more severe and difficult to treat disease, that is often diagnosed at late stages. We need to have our new trainees in medicine not only have the knowledge to care for these patients, but also the motivation and compassion to seek out the most effective, evidence-based treatments for the people in our communities. For more information, go to www.nmanet.org or www.ophthalmology.nmanet.org.
Mildred MG Olivier, MD Assistant Dean for Diversity and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL Glaucoma specialist |
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"People bringing different ideas. . . builds a better healthcare system" "We need a workforce that represents our population" |
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Eve J. Higginbotham, SM, MD Vice Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Visiting Scholar for Health Equity at the AAMC Glaucoma specialist |
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"We still have a long ways to go with regards to diversity" "I'm still excited about being an ophthalmologist. . . . We can make a difference . . . and can give a person the gift of sight." |
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Edward Cherney, MD Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville TN Retina Specialist |
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"Everyone's an individual, not a disease" |