Black MUSC grads see changes and challenges

As a new diversity and inclusion report shows, African-American graduates of the Medical University of South Carolina are helping the health care workforce look more like the diverse public it serves. 

Here, four prominent graduates go beyond the statistics to discuss their experiences as students and professionals, offering some important advice along the way for young people who want to follow in their footsteps. What follows are excerpts from questionnaires.

---

Tears flow as second-generation nurse realizes mother’s dream

Aminah Fraser-Rahim, 2012 bachelor of science in nursing, current doctor of nursing practice student and clinical nurse coordinator at Parkwood Pediatrics in Charleston

How do you think things have changed over the years for African-American students at MUSC?

My mother is an African-American nurse. More than 50 years ago, she desperately desired to attend MUSC. During those days, it was difficult for a woman of color to even sit at a countertop in a restaurant in Charleston, much less enroll in one of the most prestigious nursing programs in the country. When I graduated a few years ago, I watched as my mother shed tears of joy as I walked across the stage with a degree in hand.  My mother’s tears, of course, were for my moment of victory and triumph but also because in her lifetime she was able to witness her daughter do something she was never able to do. That’s progress. 

How have things changed for African-Americans in your profession?

I am proud to be a nurse, but I wear a double badge of honor and strength knowing that I am a woman of color breaking down barriers every day. I would like to see thousands more nurses, but I am encouraged by the strides we have made in the field. African-Americans are no longer restricted to working at “colored-only” hospitals or with patients who only resemble their likeness.

Today, my patients represent the rainbow of ethnicities that makes up our great United States and they respect me for my professionalism and knowledge in this field. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” That is the motto I live by every day.

Why is it important for everyone to pause at this time of year to look back at black history, look at where our country is now and think ahead to where it’s going?

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” The history of African-Americans should never be silenced or forgotten. Every year, each American should pay homage to the fight for equality and freedom for those who are less fortunate. 

The rich history and significant contributions of African-Americans in this country are as important as the cure to blue baby syndrome, a procedure that was developed by Dr. Vivien Theodore Thomas, an African-American surgeon at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore in the 1940s. The medical achievements of Africans harken back to ancient Egypt. 

Scientists have found medical books dating back 5,000 years ago, so we must never take for granted the worthy accomplishments that African-Americans have made. Every year, I take a moment to thank those who endured so much in order for me to work side by side with notable professionals every day.  

---

Groundbreaking executive sees advances and challenges 

Michelle Logan-Owens, 2011 Master of Health Administration, 2014 doctorate in health care administration, current chief operating officer for Palmetto Health Tuomey in Sumter

What are you doing now? 

My most recent position at Tuomey Healthcare System was president and CEO. I was the first African-American female acute care hospital CEO in our state. Our facility partnered with Palmetto Health. We are now Palmetto Health Tuomey, and I am the chief operating officer for our campus.This is the title held by each of the hospital campus administrators. There is only one president and one CEO for the system responsible for the entire corporation. 

In my current role, I am responsible for the consistent achievement of system goals and best practices in business and patient care at Palmetto Health Tuomey. I have operational accountability and authority for all aspects of the facility to include operations and capital budgets. I champion new programs and services and work collaboratively with the medical staff to ensure that we are implementing best practices and driving improvements in patient outcomes.  

What advice do you have for young people interested in the type of career you’ve chosen?  

I challenge young people to find a mentor, someone they can look to for guidance and support along their journey. And then they need to listen. Young people are often in a hurry and have been guilty of thinking more highly of themselves than they should. Be humble, listen and learn. A strong mentor is like a great parent. They will help you identify and navigate the difficulties but will also give you the freedom to develop your own style and message.

How have things changed for African-Americans in your profession? 

So much has changed, yet there is so much that remains the same. Unfortunately, when I entered health care over 22 years ago as a clinical tech, there were very few minorities in leadership positions and for most organizations this still holds true, especially in the C-suite [C-suite refers to a corporation’s top executives].  

Overall, our leadership team and medical staff communities are not representative of the populations they serve. I believe these discrepancies, especially in the medical community, further widen the gap in health disparities between African-Americans and other races.  

It is neither right nor wrong, but some persons of color are more comfortable interacting with a provider who shares their race or demographic. If there aren’t any minority providers, this can lead to an access issue for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.  

---

Pharmacist likes healthy dose of diversity

Maurice Lee, 2004 Doctor of pharmacy, current Walgreens pharmacist and actor

How did your time at MUSC prepare you for life after school?

I received my B.S. degree from South Carolina State University (a historically black university). So there, I saw a lot of people who looked like me. My time at MUSC prepared me for life after school because the institution taught me how to deal with people of various ethnicities and how to provide the most efficient health care feedback to patients. MUSC was very instrumental in my personal growth development, providing an invaluable education and launching my career. I learned quickly that the process continued beyond four years.

What, if any, organizations or relationships helped you, as an African-American student, during your time at MUSC?

I am a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Through my affiliation with this well respected organization, I learned the fundamental purpose of achievement. In order to achieve what I placed my heart and mind to conquer, the process required proper planning. If I planned poorly, then I would reap poor production. If I planned properly, the possibilities were endless.

How (if at all) have things changed for African-Americans in your profession?

I have noticed that more African-Americans are attracted to the profession of pharmacy. I believe this is largely due to the fact that students, as early as middle school, are being educated about the profession and they are seeing more of us, which makes it all the more alluring. I believe if institutions continue to provide opportunities for African-Americans, as MUSC has done, the statistics will continue to move more in our favor.

---

Researcher tackles complex issues with support system

Joy Buie, 2015 doctorate in biomedical sciences and Master of Science in Clinical Research. Current postdoctoral research fellow studying sepsis and septic shock at MUSC

What advice do you have for young people interested in the type of career you’ve chosen? 

Young people interested in a career in science should seek opportunities to work in laboratories in high school and college. I think having multiple experiences will help solidify what a career in science actually entails and will help them make an informed decision. In the process, they should learn what their needs are as a student and future scientist and seek out mentors who will fulfill those needs and teach them accordingly.

What, if any, organizations or relationships helped you during your time at MUSC?

As an African-American student, I was the president of the Multicultural Graduate Student Association. Together, we worked in the community, discussed topics on career development and served as a support system to each other and the College of Graduate Studies. MGSA provided the opportunity to share and receive advice pertaining to common challenges faced in the classroom and laboratory.

How (if at all) have things changed for African-Americans in your profession?

There are certainly more opportunities for African-Americans in the field of biomedical science than ever before. Resources in the private and public sectors have helped facilitate the growth and expansion of career options for African Americans pursuing careers in research. However, a number of these programs have had little impact on the success of African-Americans in the field. Improved training, mentorship and intentional networking are needed to increase the advancement of African-Americans in biomedical science.