While we should recognize Black History every month I do appreciate the opportunity #BlackHistoryMonth gives us to reflect.
In that spirit each day I’m going to recognize those in the community who have helped me grow & are writing their part (some literally) of our history.
2/1 - @BDTSpelman’s Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria should be required reading. For everyone.
Her work inspired my advocacy for pediatricians to do more to stop racism at its roots in early childhood. 🙏🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth
2/2 - I thought I was going to have the cool job in the family then my bro went & became a Blackhawk pilot & Captain😎!
@NjoyaChomilo’s service alone is enough but his ability to bring people together & willingness to embrace change have taught me so much🙏🏾🙌🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth
2/4 - @mundumuragu is a mentor who leads by tremendous example. Whether teaching on the wards, advocating at legislatures or navigating admissions committee meetings, I’ve been fortunate to witness his poise & ability to weave levity & humility in his message.
2/5 - listening to @deray, @MsPackyetti, @ClintSmithIII & @samswey on @PodSaveThePpl is like taking the red pill that helps you see structural racism’s reach & then having Morpheus’ crew train you in the ways to dismantle it 🙌🏾✊🏾
2/6 - @DrQuinnCapers4’ amazing lecture on Implicit Bias in medicine opened my eyes to how the link between structural #racism & clinical care could be presented in a way that physicians could start to understand its insidious impact.
2/7 - Justice @ACPage_77’s remarkable life is a testament to making the most of the opportunities you are given & even those you aren’t. His connection to the community (in addition to his bow tie game) is something I hope to one day be able to claim.
2/8 - @RheaBoydMD seeks & speaks the truth about systemic & structural racism in a way that challenges #medicine’s status quo & not only calls on us, but equips us, to start (or continue!) the path that will rid us of its toxicity🙌🏾
2/10 - Dr @CamaraJones’ powerful allegories on race & prolific career as a researcher & national public health leader has shifted how we talk about racism’s impact on health & how it works all around us.
2/12 - @nhannahjones writing on school segregation shaped the choices I make for my family & how I challenge colleagues to examine how we uphold systems of privilege & racism that lead to #OpportunityGaps
2/13 - from starting a community health professional mentoring program, to teaching the next generation of physicians, to leading the current one @MNFamilyDocs, to impeccable style, @reneecrichlowMD shows us how to be true to one’s self
2/14 - my little sis has overcome stumbles & setbacks that many fail to recover from. She has emerged w an amazing ability to see not only the best in others but herself.
2/15 - for a long time I felt comic books were the only places that as a sci-fi/fantasy nerd I could go to read stories about people who looked like me & cultures somewhat like my (nonNorwegian) family’s
2/21 - @DrIbram’s pieces in @TheAtlantic perfectly distill my feelings as a Black man & the academic lens I view events. His books helped give me language to facilitate difficult conversations around racism & also provide an example of how to be vulnerable🙏🏾
2/22 - @Sannehfdn’s #Gala4Goals is celebrating its 10th anniversary tonight & its impact in MN & around the world.
@TonySanneh’s heart for soccer is matched only by his heart for the youth in our community. Congrats Tony! Looking forward the next 10 years!🙌🏾✊🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth
2/23 - my cousin @kis_truth started life against incredible odds yet she (& her Mom!) overcame a tenuous start to receive a college scholarship & be recognized as a young leader in her community. Her positivity is infectious!👏🏾🙌🏾
2/24 - @RRHDr is an incredible researcher, writer & educator. She is working at just about every level to tear down structural racism in health care while helping build upon the resilience & strength our Black women & communities possess #BlackHistoryMonth legacy.umn.edu/stories/better…
2/25 - Dr. Julia Joseph-DiCaprio has been a leader in medical education, administration & policy. Her example helped me find my way in a system where it’s difficult to know where to start. I’m fortunate to have her as a mentor & friend🙏🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth insightnews.com/health/new-lea…
2/26 - @ava’s #WhenTheySeeUs has helped colleagues of mine confront the horrors of racial inequity & the way our black children are abused by the system in a way that a dozen grand rounds couldn’t. #medtwitter#tweetiatricians#meded
2/27 - Mary Tate, or Mrs. Mary as so many of us call her, has been the heart of the @umnmedschool@SNMA chapter. Her warmth, steady support & consistent advocacy for her students has improved the education & experience of all students🙏🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth
2/28 - My father took a big risk leaving his family to come to the US. His path & sacrifice is where I’ve drawn so much of my inspiration & drive. His balance of appreciating the US’ promise while facing its shortfalls is one seen throughout the diaspora.
2/29 - “I didn’t run for the title, I ran to do the work”
@staceyabrams delivered the best speech I’ve heard live (perhaps ever) a few months ago. Her values, vision, resolve & clarity of purpose are the the guiding light all current & future leaders need🙌🏾
There are so many people I could’ve included & this list was definitely not inclusive of all the amazing family, friends, colleagues, mentors & influences that have helped shape & continue to give me life! I’m blessed by an amazing community 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Kicking off Day 2 of @aspenideas #AspenIdeasHealth with 2 of my faves ☺️ @iamKSealsAllers & Dr. Emily Miller!🙌🏾
#AscendFellows
Catching up on a wonderful morning!
Started with this fantastic conversation on the Fight for Reproductive Health btw @ChelseaClinton & @ChanelPorchia moderated by @kwelkernbc
Chelsea & Chanel did not come to play!👏🏾
"we know what to do!" - CC
#AspenIdeasHealth
"We need to be angry about the fact we're letting moms die...This isnt a mystery. Its a failure of political will. Its a comfort w/misogyny & racism" @ChelseaClinton
@ChanelPorchia dropped so much fire about racism in medicine folks left w/a certificate 🔥🔥
#AspenIdeasHealth
Dr. C was always down to help me in any way he could whenever asked. Whether a curbside consult or questions about my own families skin, he always got back & would follow up to see how things turned out if I didn't tell him.
Made it! Let's get the IDEAS flowing & bring about the change needed in #Medicaid, racial health equity & early childhood 🙌🏾
#AspenIdeasHealth
#AscendFellow
Hey @AmerAcadPeds & @Vot_ER_org look at who I found @aspenideas #AspenIdeasHealth🙌🏾
#AHealthierDemocracy #VoteKids
"Interesting" start to this panel of HHS secretaries @aspenideas #AspenIdeasHealth
@SecBecerra when asked what he wishes folks knew about HHS replied, "we don't control health care"
1️⃣ There was no federal stockpile (as the previous WH administration HHS had eluded) to support this decision.
So now ~1 million Minnesotans believed they were at the front of the line but MN was getting ~60,000 new doses/week & still had not completed everyone in phase 1A
2️⃣ A new administration came in with equity as a priority & recommended expanding eligibility even more... but no new guidance around subprioritization for any groups incl those 65+
& still not enough shots to meet demand = scarce resource allocation
I have enrolled in a #COVIDvaccine trial & last week got my first shot!!
But this wasn’t always my plan. I had a surprising amount of hesitancy early on. So I want to share how I worked through it.
This will probably be my longest thread ever. But stick w/me! (1/)
An avid advocate that #vaccinessavelives I found myself personally & professionally skeptical about the speed with which vaccines were being developed & politicized.