Lauren Siff , MD

Ever felt overwhelmed during your med school journey or thought about how you’ll handle stress in your medical career? Tap into Part 2 of our Eagle Edition of the B-MED Amplified Tour, now streaming! 🎥✨ Check out the wealth of valuable information waiting for you on the Black Med Connect YouTube channel. Have you discovered your favorite tip yet? Share your thoughts below! #BMED #BlackMedConnect #MedStudentLife #FutureDocs #Advice #MedicalSchool #lifehacks

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🌟 Transforming the Future of Healthcare Research shows that Black people have better health outcomes and receive medical care more frequently when treated by Black physicians. Yet, only 7% of medical school graduates and less than 6% of all practicing doctors are Black. This is why the National Medical Association is proud to support efforts that make a real difference. Today, during our Annual Convention, the Greenwood Initiative announced a transformative $600 million commitment to help diversify the medical field and advance health and racial wealth equity. This investment will significantly bolster the endowments of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse School of Medicine. WATCH HERE: https://bit.ly/46yhN8p In addition to strengthening these institutions, the commitment will support the creation of a new medical school in New Orleans, the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. This historic move aims to increase the number of Black physicians and improve healthcare outcomes for Black communities nationwide. Join us in celebrating this monumental step towards a more equitable future. The NMA Convention is where groundbreaking initiatives come to life, and this is just one of the many reasons you can't afford to miss it! #NMA2024 #HealthEquity #DiversityInMedicine #HBCUs #GreenwoodInitiative #BlackExcellence #MedicalEducation #NMANYC24

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Did this week’s episode on snagging those golden letters of recommendation hit the mark? 🎯 If you found it helpful, tag your study buddy who needs to see it too! And don’t forget to catch the full series on YouTube. It’s almost as exciting as getting your acceptance letter! 👩🏾‍🎓👨🏾‍🎓🥼👩🏾‍⚕️👨🏾‍⚕️🩺 #blackmedconnect #bmed #lettersofrecommendation #medschool #careerdevelopment #tips

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💤 Recapping Khaliah O. Guillory’s Powerful Keynote: "Mandatory Soul Care" At the Black Healthcare & Innovation Summit, Khaliah O. Guillory captivated the audience with her dynamic keynote, “Mandatory Soul Care.” As a certified sleep science coach and founder of Nap Bar, Khaliah challenged us to rethink how we prioritize rest and self-care—not as luxuries, but as essential practices for our health, productivity, and legacy. One unforgettable moment was when Khaliah boldly declared: “The unmitigated gall of YOU!” This phrase reminded us that embracing soul care starts with audaciously valuing ourselves and rejecting the damaging “team no sleep” or “sleep when I’m dead” mindsets. Key Takeaways 🌟 Prioritize Rest: Sleep is not a weakness—it's a revolutionary act of self-preservation, especially for those breaking barriers and leading transformative work. 🌟 Break the Cycle: Reject the “slave mentality” of constant grind culture and create space for renewal and growth. 🌟 Own Your Worth: Recognize that taking care of your body and mind is an act of courage and a foundation for achieving greatness. Khaliah reminded us that when we make soul care mandatory, we empower ourselves to lead with clarity, resilience, and authenticity. Thank you, Khaliah, for your wisdom and for inspiring us to reimagine what rest means in our personal and professional lives. #MandatorySoulCare #BHIS2024 #SelfCareRevolution #SoulCare

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More talents & intelligence are on display

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As we gear up for our 4th Annual Black Maternal Health Summit in March 2025, we invite you to submit your abstracts/proposals to facilitate a workshop, demonstration, presentation, etc. Submit by Jan 17, 2025 www.cocolife.black/events #BlackMaternalHealthsummit Topic Areas: >Wellness & Joy in The Birthing Experience: Holistic Health for Moms & Birth workers >Vulnerability in Medicine: Safer practices, Lessons Learned, Advocacy for Black Maternal Health >Dad's Den: Including dad/partner as part of the birthing journey >Sensitive Conditions: HIV/AIDS, Human Trafficking, Intimate partner and domestic violence ✨️Additional topic "Passion for Postpartum"....

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Generational wealth helps entrepreneurs in numerous ways by providing access to capital, removing financial burdens, securing a safety net, and creating economic mobility. Listen to our full conversation on the Up Your Smile Game Podcast available on YouTube✨ #blackfemalefounders

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Power of Oneness

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The healthcare system's failure to address the disparities faced by Black women is alarming and needs immediate action. 🩺 Studies show that Black patients have better outcomes when treated by Black providers, underscoring the need for more representation. Individuals like Dr. Charmain Jackman, Ph.D. founder of InnoPsych and an All Raise Black and Latinx Media Mastery alumni, and Uché Blackstock, MD, founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, are at the forefront of this battle. They stress the critical need to diversify the medical field and tackle systemic racism head-on. Providing robust funding for historically Black medical schools and investing in mentorship programs are essential steps toward building a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system. Representation can save lives. Let's support and invest in programs, initiatives and companies that pave the way for more inclusive healthcare. 💪🏾 💬 How do you see our VC community making the most impact in this space? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eDnCeefX #WomenOfColorInVC #DiversityInVC #HealthEquity #HealthcareForAll #TherapistsOfColor

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The Black population in (2023) US is 13%, yet only 5.7 % of physicians identify as Black!!! More than half of Black US physicians graduate from HBCU medical schools. That’s 4 medical schools out of 193! Think about that!! Imagine how many more Black physicians we would have if the other HBCU medical schools were not closed secondary to the 1910 Felxner report (https://lnkd.in/gn7xFPtf.) Imagine how health disparities, that remain persistent today, would be greatly reduced and lead to improved health outcomes for so many patients. “ Recent evidence highlights that Black physicians can play a role in mitigating these disparities and other survival-related outcomes. The underrepresentation of Black physicians in the workforce may exacerbate health disparities by impeding access to care given that individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are more likely to practice in underserved communities and care for publicly insured and uninsured patients. Despite their effects on access to care in marginalized communities and various health outcomes, Black physicians remain severely underrepresented in the physician workforce. “

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Along with elation of the announcement that Bloomberg Philanthropies is donating $600M to HBCU medical schools and what that will mean towards increasing positive health outcomes in the Black community last week, a few other thoughts arose: - We need equal investments in health education so those future Black doctors can better serve their communities. Health systems and providers currently struggle with getting this demographic in their office for preventative wellness visits, follow-up appointments after emergency care, and routine exams due to extreme medical distrust. I'm afraid their presence alone won't immediately build trust or shift those behaviors but health education in safe spaces outside of the medical system, along with investment in other social determinants of health, will increase the marker. - Centering development of patient self-trust will be another effective approach in ensuring Black patients get the health outcomes they need in the near future regardless of who their provider is. We work on strengthening self-advocacy in black girls breathing® by having community members practice: honoring how they feel and their bodies feel, being inquisitive when things feel "off" and not ignoring their bodies' signals for extended periods before they seek help, and feel more confident communicating their truth to someone with a perceived higher authority (asking questions if they don't understand, pushing for a second opinion when they are still unsure). Still exciting progress but as those of us who are on the ground, we know there's still more work to be done to create the equitable future we envision. #healthequity

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Sharing this #Repost by Katya Vera, an incoming medical student, shares her book review of my best-seller LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine! 👩🏾‍⚕️🩺 This past week, I finished reading ‘Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.’ In her memoir, Uché Blackstock, MD beautifully interweaves the legacy of her parents (specifically her mother’s legacy as a Black physician and the first in her family to become a doctor), her own experience (growing up in Brooklyn, attending Harvard for undergrad and medical school, being a patient, being an emergency medicine physician, working to dismantle racism in medical education, starting her own business as a health equity advocate), and the horrific history and presence of racism in the American medical system. Dr. Blackstock’s book speaks to understanding the legacies we inherit as members (providers and patients) of a broken healthcare system and country, and provokes us to be intentional about the legacies we leave behind. Her calls to action are tangible and necessary! As an incoming medical student, Dr. Blackstock’s memoir also informed me to be cautious and protective of my future energy and time. Moreover, as a Latina and first-gen medical student, her words of wisdom will accompany me as I enter my medical school class that is 4% Latinx. She writes about a mentee, “Medical school is intense enough without adding the extra burden of overhauling the systemic inequities of an institution that isn’t supporting its Black and other students of color in the first place. Natasha should have been in medical school to focus on becoming a physician. Instead she was worn out trying to dismantle racism from the ground up.” Having read Dr. Blackstock’s memoir, it is clear that we cannot change systems of inequity that are being purposely upheld. It’s easy to lend our labor in hopes that it will be impactful, but this hope can also ultimately lead to our exhaustion/burnout. As I enter medicine this fall, I will remember Dr. Blackstock’s story and advice. I will choose my battles in hopes of leaving a more equitable healthcare system, but I must also ultimately choose myself. #book #bookrecommendations #legacy #medicine #premed #medicalbooks #representationmatters #medicalschool #medicalstudent Purchase LEGACY here: www.ucheblackstock.com

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Invest in people!

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According to a 2023 CNN article investigating a shortage of Black doctors, only 5.7% of doctors in the US identify as Black or African American. While this number is slowly growing, it doesn't reflect the diversity of our communities. Why is representation in medicine so important? Understanding & Cultural Competency: Healthcare providers from diverse backgrounds can better understand the cultural influences, values, and beliefs that shape a patient's health journey. Building Trust & Communication: Shared experiences and cultural sensitivity can foster stronger patient-provider relationships, leading to better communication and adherence to treatment plans. Addressing Health Disparities: A more diverse healthcare workforce can better understand and address the specific health concerns that disproportionately affect minority communities. How can we create a more inclusive medical field? Supporting Programs: Initiatives that encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine are crucial. Mentorship & Role Models: Visibility matters! Highlighting successful doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals of color can inspire the next generation. We all deserve to see ourselves reflected in the medical professionals who care for us. Let's work together to create a more equitable and representative healthcare system!  #DEIinhealthcare #diversityequityandinclusion #Blackdoctors #DiversityInHealthcare

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Outdated racial myths are still being taught in medicine, leading to harmful consequences for Black patients. Myths like “Black people have higher pain tolerance” or are “naturally more prone to disease” lead to delayed care and poor treatment. At Responsible Media Group, we’re calling out these harmful beliefs. Have you or someone you know experienced this in healthcare? Share your stories in the comments.

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Why Black Doctors Matter: Trusting the Medical System Explore the urgent conversation around the lack of Black doctors and the deep-seated trust issues within the Black community regarding the medical system. Hear powerful testimonials and insights that challenge the status quo and emphasize the need for representation and respect in healthcare. #BlackDoctorShortage #HealthcareTrust #BlackCommunity #MedicalDisparities #RepresentationMatters #VoiceForChange #HealthEquity #BlackWomenInPolitics #SocialJustice #CommunityHealing

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Apurv Gupta, MD, MPH, Stephanie Feals, Helen Riess, M.D. - This is an amazing few minutes where amazing kindred spirits dialog about the mystical power of love lives in each of us. In this clip, the transformational power of exquisite empathy is shared with us that is beyond words, what I would describe as a spiritual experience, the experience of in the moment healing. For those of you who are sure the world and humanity are spiraling down, you are, of course, right--especially from a systems point of view. And, there is reason for hope and even inspiration (in-spirit) that love will enlighten the darkness of fear and separation that plagues the minds of humanity and creates our many woes. We must also remember that this decent into darkness is necessary. Stress in systems and in the mind is what drives true transformation, which is always fear to love. We live in the most exciting times in human history. What is it you and I are being called on to do? 💙 #ALovingOrganization #LovingSystems #3DHealthcare #100MillionDreamersProject

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