Less than 3% of US physicians are Black women. A group of medical students at one Adtalem institution is building a mentorship network for those aspiring to increase representation.
A “double minority” seeking to break multiple barriers. That’s how Tahara Jordan, a third-year medical student at Ross University School of Medicine (Ross Med), often refers to herself.
Only 5.2% of active physicians identified as Black or African American, according to the 2023 US Physician Workforce Data Dashboard. And just 2.8% of physicians are Black women, says a study published in 2021 in the National Library of Medicine.
Jordan grew up in inner-city Hartford, Connecticut, and doesn’t recall any Black women or men practicing medicine in her community.
Jordan says. “We can only close this gap through our numbers.
Underrepresentation in healthcare inspired Jordan to establish Black Female Doctors as a first-year student. The organization’s mission is to create connections and collaborative opportunities for Black students, as well as to educate the campus community about the impact of Black women in medicine.
A byproduct of their mission is a growing mentorship program connecting members from their time as medical students through to their time as practicing physicians.
“This is a platform where we can find hope,” Jordan says. “We can do this despite the statistical odds against us as Black women.”
Lifting As We Climb
Over the last two-plus years, Jordan has built up the organization’s network of current students and alumni mentors guided by the club’s official motto— “lifting as we climb.” It’s a call to action for Black women to lift each other up to be well-represented and support each other.
The next chapter of the organization’s growth now comes as Jordan, the first group of board members, and other student members, spread across the country for clinical rotations.
“To have provided such a platform that’s still driving forward and growing is an amazing feeling,” Jordan says. “I'm grateful to have done such a thing.”
Trailblazing Paths Together
Several influential Black women have guided Jordan throughout her journey from undergraduate at Florida A&M University to Ross Med through the Access and Inclusion in Medicine (AIM) Scholars Program.
They blazed a trail for her, and their mentorship has been the inspiration for Jordan to keep growing Black Female Doctors.
Dr. Alia Green
While visiting family in Tallahassee, Florida, Jordan immediately fell in love with the area and FAMU campus. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry. As she was finishing a master’s in physiology, Jordan was introduced by a family member to Dr. Alia Green, MD ’18, a fellow FAMU alumna and at the time a third-year student at Ross Med.
Dr. Green is now a family medicine resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She and Jordan talk just about every day as their busy schedules allow. She helps keep Jordan motivated and focused throughout her clinical rotations.
Their connection led Jordan to Ross Med’s AIM Scholars Program, which promotes equitable educational access for highly qualified Black students through partnerships with HBCUs.
Jordan says:
Dr. Tervicine Delva
As part of the AIM Scholars Program, Jordan enrolled in the Medical Education and Readiness Program (MERP). There she was introduced to Dr. Tervicine Delva, MD ’19, who Jordan recalls was the only Black female teaching assistant for MERP at the time. Dr. Delva is now a resident physician with Virtua Health in New Jersey.
“She encourages me and does the little things like sending me affirmations and reminders for exam prep. If she doesn’t hear from me, she’ll reach out and ask for an update. She seeks me out and holds me accountable, and I really appreciate that because she’s in residency,” says Jordan. “She is invested in my path, and I really appreciate that about her.”
Joanna Anorue, Class of ’24
Anorue plans to graduate from Ross Med in May and join hundreds of her peers counting down to Match Day 2024. Before their respective paths toward becoming physicians, Jordan and Anorue met as undergraduates at FAMU through the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
“We shared a bond instantly through our mutual love of serving others, academics, leadership, and all things that represent women and sisterhood,” Jordan recalled.
Anorue earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and started her career as a head registered nurse before pursuing medical school.
“Because she is ahead of me in the process, she gives me fresh perspective and insight that I apply to my journey daily. From how to study and be financially responsible, to effectively networking and advocating for myself on this career path.”
For more information, email the Adtalem Global Communications Team: adtalemmedia@adtalem.com.
