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White Coats for Black Lives: UTSW community honors George Floyd

Published on: June 05, 2020 By: Staff Reports

Two women in scrubs and masks, holding a sign that reads Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane — Registered Nurses Filoshia Barrow (left) and Adrianne Johnson comforted each other as they kneeled for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to honor the life of George Floyd.

More than 100 UT Southwestern Medical Center students, employees, faculty, researchers and leaders knelt together in silence and solidarity at noon Friday on McDermott Plaza as part of a national White Coats for Black Lives event against racism and inequity. Supporters took a knee in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds – the amount of time a Minneapolis police officer kept his knee on the neck of George Floyd, whose death sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and injustice. Many off campus joined a simultaneous virtual online event.

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“My heart is hurting. I keep hearing people talk about ‘systemic’ racism. I've processed that phrase again and again. I'm in the Division of Hematology-Oncology. We often use the word: ‘metastatic.’ I find that this is a more appropriate word for this issue of racism where the process we are witnessing is affecting our society in a similar fashion as a cancer that has gotten out of control,” said Dr. Alecia Nero, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.

Dr. Clarissa Johnson comforted Dr. Alecia Nero as attendees knelt to honor George Floyd.

More than 100 attendees showed support at the rally.

Dr. W.P. Andrew Lee, EVP for Academic Affairs, Provost and Dean of the Medical School

Dr. Marc Nivet, EVP for Institutional Advancement, addressed the crowd during the rally and encouraged the community to continue to leverage their voices.

Dr. Dale Okorodudu, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, addressed the crowd encouraging physicians to use their influence to combat racism. “Speaking for everyone who’s ever felt oppressed thank you guys so much for being here, thank you for hearing our cry, thank you for being a part of it, and thank you for letting us know we’re not alone.”

Dr. Mehari Gebreyohanns, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, told the crowd he was proud of the support. “I hope this moves beyond just coming out here and that you would take it inside your heart and practice every day trying to make things equal and that we all teach our students to try to serve the underserved with full compassion. Let’s be part of the change to bring equity to everybody.”

“I came out to stand in solidarity with our medical community to say we are here to stand against racism. We want to do better for our patients, our community, and black lives matter,” said Dr. Shaida Khan, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics.

Dr. Courtney Solomon, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Thomas Wang, Chair of Internal Medicine

Rally organizers said physicians have a responsibility to acknowledge racial inequalities that affect black patients in all areas of their lives.

Organizers said doctors should use their influence to combat racial injustice.

Dr. Divya Gehi, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

Some UTSW community members chose to bring younger loved ones to participate in the rally.

Shamekia Wells, Nurse Practitioner

Drs. Victoria Jackson and Daniel Guidot kneeled beside fellow Internal Medicine residents.

“I came out to demonstrate my concern, fear, and sorrow due to recent events. Although this situation saddens me, along with many others, I remain hopeful for the future of our country in changing racial inequalities,” said Toniqua Richardson, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

“Medicine requires compassion, kindness, strength and leadership, especially in our communities. It makes absolute sense for medical professionals to apply these same qualities against racism and injustice – it is the health and well-being of our fellow humans that are affected after all,” said Dr. Melanie Sulistio, Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Organizers said physicians take an oath to protect lives and that should extend to fighting unjustified police violence used against community members.

From left: Drs. Erin E. Gordon, Renee Potera, and Mia Maamari, all Assistant Professors of Pediatrics

Fellows who organized the demonstration said it's important health care providers show the public they want to work to alleviate structural racism.

In part, rally organizers said they want to raise awareness about how racism also impacts access to equality in health care.

Organizers said publicly acknowledging the existence of racism with a demonstration was only a symbolic first step and that they hope to raise awareness about the need for meaningful action to alleviate discrimination in education and health care.