Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/818598
t m c » p u l s e | m ay 2 0 1 7 8 After my talk during Diversity Week, someone said, 'It's funny because I didn't realize my own implicit bias, and when you sat up here and you talked about this flight attendant, in my head, I assumed she was a white female, but it didn't have to be. It could have been a male, it could have been a black male, it could have been whatever.' A lot of people made that assumption just based on posts and things like that, and people were asking me, 'Hey, what race was she? Because you didn't say.' And I didn't. I didn't say that in my post. So people had already made assumptions on what she was. I think that's one important point, that we all have implicit bias and need to recognize it. I think the only way we can overcome this is, number one, recognizing it and making a conscious effort to not allow it to interfere in our lives. But then also I think the more diversity we have in the medical field—the more common it is to see female doctors, the more common it is to see doctors of color—it won't be so surprising that this double minority is actually a physician. And I think we're getting better. There are a lot more women going to medical school now. When you look at demographics, we're closing the gap better in regards to gender, but we're still not there. With race, we still have a long way to go. I think as we continue to diversify medicine and we really try to put time, resources and funding into pipeline programs to get more people from different backgrounds into the medical field, 10 to 15 years from now it won't be so crazy that this young, black woman from Detroit is a doctor. Q | Do you see yourself becoming involved in these types of programs? A | Mentoring has always been something I've been passionate about and something I was always involved in during high school and college. Whether it was through my sorority or through my school or different community service organizations I was a part of, I've always enjoyed it. Since this situation in October, I've become even more involved. I've gone to a high school and worked with kids who were interested in medicine out in Orlando, I've spoken to some of the medical stu- dents at the Mayo Clinic, and I also did a mentoring in medicine program here at Baylor College of Medicine. That's definitely a positive that has come out of the whole experience. People have contacted me to do these things that I'm very passionate about, and I love being able to inspire and motivate, because I was once in their shoes. Tamika Cross, M.D. was interviewed by Pulse reporter Alexandra Becker. This interview was edited for clarity and length. I think as we continue to diver- sify medicine and we really try to put time, resources and funding into pipeline programs to get more people from different back- grounds into the medical field, 10 to 15 years from now it won't be so crazy that this young, black woman from Detroit is a doctor. Don't give up on treating your depression. Many people with depression obtain relief with medication or talk therapy. If your depression persists, explore new options today at The Menninger Clinic. Our Center for Brain Stimulation offers safe, proven methods for individuals experiencing treatment-resistant depression. Call 713-275-5328 or email Brainstim@Menninger.edu today for a confidential consultation with our team of experts. MenningerClinic.com | Affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and member of the Texas Medical Center Named a National Best Hospital in Psychiatry 27 Consecutive Years Menninger ad on treatment-resistent depression for TMC Pulse 4-2017.indd 1 4/6/2017 11:50:39 AM