Breaking barriers in health care: Physicians provide minorities an opportunity in medicine
Family Medicine Clinic at Girls Inc. Health Center specializes in caring for the Black community, providing a team of all-Black physicians.
For Dr. Denai Gordon, Girls Inc. means walking down memory lane.
"It feels like a full circle moment, honestly," Gordon said.
She said she remembers her early days in the program and the valuable life lessons it taught her.
"I attended Girls Inc. from about age five until I graduated high school, so I spent a lot of time at Girls Inc. It was the place that I went after school, and it was a place that I went during the summers during breaks from school," she said.
However, Gordon said it was time to bring the lessons she learned back to the table.
"Not everyone wants to be a doctor, but if there are girls here who are interested in medicine or the health care field in general, I am excited to be able to mentor and show what's possible," Gordon said.
Her mission includes helping break barriers in the Black community, especially regarding their health.
"There is a longstanding history of oppression in mistreatment of people of color here in America and across the world," she said. "I am hopeful that we can start to rebuild the trust in patients' connection with their physician."
From hypertension and diabetes to prenatal health and the maternal health crisis in the Black community. Gordon said she understands her patient's needs.
"Majority of people are just really excited to have found someone who looks like them with the hopes that they will understand them," Gordon said.
Dr. Andrea Jones leads the clinic. She said it's difficult for people to be what they cannot see.
"Inspiring our youth is a major focus of our clinic, not only to be mentors for our community but also for the members of girls and to empower them to continue to be strong, smart, and bold with their mission," Jones said.