National Medical Fellowships, Inc.’s Post

What is #DisabilityJustice? It's more than legal rights. It's a movement that: 🙌 Centers the voices of individuals with disabilities, especially those from underrepresented communities. 🏋️ Bridges the gap between all abilities. 💛 Recognizes how race, gender, and sexuality intersect with disability. Ableism creates barriers. Disability Justice works to remove them, ensuring equal access to education, health care, and more. Empowered bodies empower others. By advocating for understanding and accessibility, we can all be #Changemakers in our communities. Learn more and get involved in the disability justice community!

Diversifying health care leadership spans beyond a bottom line. At NMF, we recognize the benefits of investing in change from all angles— doing so enriches experiences for both patients and providers. Becker's Healthcare proudly honors over 231 influential Black health care leaders who are shaping patient care, educating future providers, and advancing equity and inclusion. This esteemed recognition is based on nominations and editorial research. Do you recognize any of the NMF alumni on the list? See the full list: https://lnkd.in/gZVCxvef Let's celebrate their recognition together, by commenting and sharing this post! #BeckersHealthcare #BlackLeaders #DiversityInMedicine

As a kick-off to #DisabilityPrideMonth, let's talk about it: Visibility is NOT a Requirement for Respect. Disability exists on a spectrum of abilities, and no one should have to make their disability visible to receive the respect, care, and support they deserve. However, this is often a requirement for those with disabilities to be seen. Socially, those who have invisible disabilities often have to make their disabilities visible for their needs to be taken seriously. For example, someone with severe migraines may need an aid to get them through a tough migraine episode and others may not recognize the severity of their individual disability until an aid is present. Disability can be made visible by using aids such as canes, walkers, support animals, medical alert bracelets, migraine glasses, and more. According to the Invisible Disabilities Association, tools like mobility aids can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with invisible disabilities by providing the necessary support and fostering understanding in society. They also educate others about #DisabilityDiversity and the importance of creating inclusive environments that accommodate EVERYONE’s needs, regardless of if they publicly identify it or not (Invisible Disabilities Association, 2023). Organizations like 'We Are All Disabled' challenge us to explore our perceptions of disability and understand it within ourselves. Disability only exists in a world where we fail to adapt and accommodate people living with disabilities. It is up to all of us to help bridge the gap and ensure that our communities feel safe and accommodated, regardless of their abilities.

Have you ever heard of Health In Her HUE? 🤔 In a world of health care where the lives of Black women aren't always a priority, it's important to highlight the work of others who take the necessary steps to advance #HealthEquity. We share the same commitment— diversifying #HealthCare. ✨ NMF is proud to join forces with Health in Her HUE to continue our work, together. We encourage you to learn more about Health in Her HUE and its impact in health care: https://lnkd.in/eFWjTE3W

Meet Dr. Sharon A. Ashley, a powerhouse NMF alumna who continues to make waves in her medical career! Dr. Ashley's illustrious career spans over 30 years in pediatric anesthesiology. She is currently a professor at UC Davis, where she also chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Her leadership roles extend to several prestigious organizations and her work emphasizes the importance of #HealthEquity and #Inclusion. Her journey into medicine was sparked by her health struggles as a teenager during segregation in Florida, facing numerous obstacles, including academic setbacks and discouragement from a guidance counselor, but never wavered in her determination to become a doctor. With high MCAT scores, perseverance, and hard work, she earned her medical degree and, alongside her twin sister, they embarked on a career dedicated to serving marginalized communities. In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Ashley has mentored numerous students from diverse backgrounds, guiding them through medical school and residency. Her commitment to education and mentorship is a testament to her dedication to fostering the next generation of health care professionals! Dr. Ashley’s story is one of resilience and advocacy. Her impact on the medical field and her community is profound, inspiring us all to strive for equity and excellence in #HealthCare. We encourage you to learn more about Dr. Ashley: https://lnkd.in/g7TTJwMY

Holding a torch up to freedom's hand: The Fourth of July, recognized as Independence Day in the United States, honors the Declaration of Independence proclaimed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. However, not all people were able to participate in this celebration of “independence.” The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and democracy, reminds us of the ongoing struggle for true liberty. Her torch represents enlightenment and liberty. This iconic statue has come to embody the ideals of liberty and opportunity, as well as serving as a beacon of welcome and refuge for immigrants arriving in America. While it stands as a beacon of hope, it also calls us to reflect on the unfulfilled promise of freedom for all. This Independence Day, let's reflect on the true meaning of freedom and the strength of our resilience. Let's celebrate our progress, contemplate the good and the bad of our history, and reaffirm our commitment to justice for all. Join us in honoring their stories and advocating for a future free from health disparities and enriched by health equity for all.

National Medical Fellowships, Inc. was thrilled to work with Skai Blue Media to host its first media familiarization dinner on June 24, 2024 in New York City! We brought together NMF alumni, scholars, board members, and team leaders to discuss the crucial work of achieving #HealthEquity with members of the media. During this time, NMF also shared the results of an exploratory survey of NMF scholars and alumni on the PR Newswire (Read More: https://lnkd.in/gxVYYwNP). The study NMF conducted found nearly three out of four health care workers surveyed say they have witnessed disparities in the care of patients of color.  Our President and CEO, Michellene Davis, Esq., lead the charge in declaring that “We need to make certain that everyone who wants to be a doctor can be a doctor because the country does not currently have enough physicians to care for everyone – and there are individuals trying to stop those who are Black and brown from doing so. This is urgent, now.” 💡    The results from this survey support the fact that NMF plays a critical role in diversifying #HealthCare— 75% of survey respondents strongly agreed on the urgent need to increase the presence of physicians of color to enhance outcomes for underserved communities. Our work continues to break barriers and we are determined to continue sharing our mission with others. Consider how you too can support NMF and join us to today in diversifying health care for generations to come. 🤝 A special thank you to: Meg Fry, Christy Law Blanchard, Michellene Davis, Esq., Dr. Bryan Baugh, Aundrea Cline-Thomas, Felice León, Ariel Miller, Taayoo Murray, Roni Caryn Rabin, Tiffany L. Zeno, Prisca O., Linnie Golightly

Since inception, NMF’s scholarships and service-learning programs have been at the core of its programming. To increase the number of physicians, health professionals, and researchers in the U.S. who are underrepresented in health care, NMF offers two types of #scholarship support: 1️⃣ Scholarships and awards, for example merit and/or need-based financial awards, enhanced scholarships. 2️⃣ And service-learning programs, which include structured/semi-structured experiences with clinical leadership, research, community health, mentorship, and other programmatic components in support of professional and personal growth. There's currently four service-learning programs available! Apply by Monday, August 12 at 11:59 p.m. and join NMF in advancing #HealthEquity