Footnotes Summer 2024 - 14

prefer that only an attending should perform the procedure
and that is also fine.
Was there ever a time when a patient refused
to have you as their doctor? If so, how did you
handle that situation? How did you cope with it
emotionally?
There have been a few occasions where patients have
refused to have me as their doctor. For example, I was
consulted on a geriatric patient in the ED and when the
daughter saw me arrive, she asked if another doctor would
be taking care of her mother. She stated that it was nothing
personal, but would have preferred if an attending or an
older doctor was present. Of course that did not make
me feel great, but you must stay objective and not let your
emotions get in the way. The job comes first, and you must
maintain a professional mindset. For her, an older male
meant wiser and more experienced.But you also must show
confidence in who you are. I remained polite and told her
that I was the doctor who was called to assess her mother,
that I would do so and update my attending accordingly
and he would be able to come later. Always present yourself
as being in charge, knowledgeable, and confident, and that
you know what you are talking about.
As a young black woman podiatrist working in a
field with predominantly white male podiatrists,
what advice would you give an up and coming female
podiatrist?
I would tell them that you have worked extremely hard
to be where you are. Know that you have faced many
challenges and most likely there are many more to come.
The fact that you have made it this far is a testament to
your skills. Thus stand your ground and be confident in
who you are. There is a reason that you are here. You have
worked as much as anyone else to earn that title and you
are deserving of the spot that you are now in. Let that hard
work shine through. Do not get discouraged. You will one
day pull through, one step at a time. I am also a woman of
faith and believe that everything that I have achieved thus
far has been gifted to me by God and I thank him each day
for those blessings.
What are your future plans after completing your
residency? Do you plan to open up your own practice
or continue to work at the hospital or both?
My plan has always been to open a clinic in Haiti. Although
the current situation in Haiti is not the best, I have always
wanted to help my country. My goal was to help, teach, and
bring awareness in underserved communities and this is
exactly what I intend to do.
14
SUMMER 2024
Footnotes Summer 2024

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