4 minute read
What Arizona Docs are Saying - Diversity in Medicine
What does diversity in medicine mean to you?
Acknowledging physicians of different colors, beliefs, sexuality, backgrounds — and appreciating the differences. We can learn to practice better medicine by not having a one-size-fits-all approach. —Sara Kertz, DO
Diversity in medicine means having representatives from all groups at the table including ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and women. —Traci N. Fitzhugh, MD, FACOG
It means hearing from a plurality of voices, including different ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in medical practice. —Melanie Cloonan-Schulte, MD
Would greater diversity of physicians lead to improved care for patients?
Of course! We need to learn that some medications don’t work well for certain groups of people, or thatcertain treatment plans wouldn’t fly in particular cultures. Physicians of different races, genders, etc.,are great knowledge sources! —Sara Kertz, DO
Yes. Patients would feel like they could identifymore with their doctor/feel understood. —Monica Faria, MD
Diversity among physicians may lead to improvedcare if more diverse patient populations feel comfortable accessing medical care becausesomeone “like them” is providing it. —Melanie Cloonan-Schulte, MD
Physicians can provide better care if they understandthe backgrounds of patients. For example, physicians who know the typical foods of a population can helpin decreasing obesity. —Ricardo Correa, MD
If patients can recognize a kindred spirit, they may engage more in the medical system, have ahigher utilization of preventative care services, and hopefully have better health outcomes.—Anne Maiden, DO
Why is a more diverse workforce important to the medical community?
It provides better access, innovation, and outcomes in healthcare. —Robert Dixon, MD
A more diverse medical workforce enhances our ability to provide the best care possible to our diverse population of patients. Although I truly believe thatany healthcare worker can provide excellent care to any patient, observing diversity among those whotake care of them inspires confidence in patients that their unique needs are being considered and metappropriately. —Neil Fernandes, MD
For patient comfort in receiving care and information. —Judith Barnes Clark, MD, FAAP
Do you believe leadership positions in practices and hospitals are available to all physicians, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation?
Nope. Women lose time for childbearing and parttime positions for caregiving. And there is clearly bias around color and perceived strength/education. —Jacqueline May Carter, MD
No, they are available to whoever knows whoever else. It is a system more based upon prejudice and discrimination than many other professions. —Veronica Ruston, DO
It depends on the person, although I have heard oflarge practices and surgical groups where women still feel underappreciated and passed over foradvances. —Victoria Horstman, RN, BSN, MD
How can practicing physicians recruit and retain a more diverse workforce?
Through better understanding and hiring workers who best match the practiceprofile. —James E. Bertz, MD, FACS
Mentor physicians who are early in their career. Be an advocate for physicians whomay be challenged to find support in an organization that lacks diversity. Decide tobe the change — especially the physicians who are in their mid- to late careers andhave the influence. —Ann Cheri Foxx, MD
Word of mouth among patients andpeers — professional and personal. —Judith Barnes Clark, MD, FAAP
Analyze the patient population. Then, stimulate high school students to seek a career in medicine, offering them rewards for staying in hard-to-fill locations. Over time, those new physicians will attract more doctors like them. —Ricardo Correa, MD
By perpetuating a culture of acceptance and tolerance while maintaining a high standard of excellence. By having a culture that puts wellness first and prioritizeswork/life balance, any employee would thrive because morale would be high.—Anne Maiden, DO
What policies or systemic changes are needed for greater diversity among physicians?
pre-school. We also need low-cost higher education and medical school. —Robert Dixon, MD
For greater gender diversity, we need parental leave. For racial diversity, we need pre-med mentoring programs for underserved and to recruit at colleges. We also need mentoring and greater diversity in leadership roles so they can support the next generation. —Jacqueline May Carter, MD
It needs to start from someone in the family, a mentor, or a teacher telling a child he or she is smart and could become a physician. —Victoria Horstman, RN, BSN, MD
Community partnerships, so we can communicate to the public that diversity in medicine is something the medical community prioritizes and is willing to work hard to achieve. —Neil Fernandes, MD ■
Learn more about the participating physicians:
Traci Fitzhugh, MD, FACOG: PRACTICE | Southwest Contemporary Women’s Care PHONE | (480) 820-6657 WEBSITE | swcwc.net
Veronica Jean Ruston, DO: PRACTICE | Best Life Medicine PHONE | (623) 232-0082 WEBSITE | bestlifefamilymedicine.com
Judith Barnes Clark, MD, FAAP: PRACTICE | Hip Kids Pediatrics PHONE | (480) 477-9490 WEBSITE | hipkidspediatrics.com
Melanie Cloonan-Schulte, MD, FACP: PRACTICE | Melanie D Cloonan- Schulte, MD, FACP PHONE | (480) 821-0788 WEBSITE | melanie-d-cloonanschulte-md.business.site
Victoria Hortsman, MD, RN: PRACTICE | Care Access PHONE | (480) 570-7843 WEBSITE | careaccess.com
Jacqueline May Carter, MD: PRACTICE | Crossover Health PHONE | (602) 451-1702 WEBSITE | crossoverhealth.com
Monica Faria, MD: PRACTICE | Arizona Professionals Health Program PHONE | (602) 429-8447 WEBSITE | arizonaphp.net
James Bertz, MD, FACS: PRACTICE | Scottsdale Facial and Oral Surgery PHONE | (480) 941-5005 WEBSITE | scottsdaleoms.com
Robert Dixon, MD: PRACTICE | District Medical Group PHONE | (719) 337-7281 WEBSITE | dmgaz.org
Anne Maiden, DO: PRACTICE | Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine PHONE | (602) 618-0002 WEBSITE | midwestern.edu
Ann Cheri Foxx Leach, MD: PRACTICE | Nocio Interventional Pain Management PHONE | (480) 818-4314 WEBSITE | nociopain.com
Ricardo Correa, MD EdD: PRACTICE | Phoenix VA Health Care System PHONE | (602) 277-5551 WEBSITE | phoenix.va.gov
Neil Fernandes, MD: PRACTICE | Skin and Cancer Center of Arizona PHONE | (480) 899-7546 WEBSITE | skinandcancercenterofarizona.com
Sara Kertz, DO: PRACTICE | Paradise Pediatrics PHONE | (602) 996-0190 WEBSITE | paradisepediatrics.net
