Tailoring a New White Coat
Our health is precious to us. And choosing a medical doctor is essential, yet personal. But for many members of minority communities, it can be difficult to find a skilled physician who shares their background and identifies with their challenges.
In the state of Indiana, for instance, there’s only one Black doctor for every 3,200 Black residents, and only one Latine doctor for every 4,600 Latine residents. For perspective, there’s one white doctor available to every 340 white residents. (All figures are approximate.)
As the largest medical school in the country, Indiana University School of Medicine is striving to address these alarming statistics by diversifying medical training and opportunities. One way the school is taking action is by learning from the resident physicians who have matched to IU — like Lake Charles, Louisiana, native Dr. Russell Ledet, who has been spearheading effective change from Louisiana to Indiana and across the United States.
In 2022, IU and Ledet made history. He became the first Black man to match into the School of Medicine’s Triple Board Residency program: a unique opportunity where future physicians become board certified in three disciplines…
