Clyde Yancy, MD, MSc, chief of cardiology for the department of medicine at Northwestern, was the guest lecturer for the Ernest and Hazel Craige Lecture on October 14. The vice dean for diversity and inclusion for the Feinberg School of Medicine talked about lessons learned from COVID-19, and the path he sees towards health equity. Following are a few thoughts from his lecture.
- “All of us function with a bias. It’s not the other person. It’s not the neighbor. It’s not the intern…That’s how we make decisions. It’s normal to be biased. It’s ubiquitous. What’s not normal is to act on our biases. What’s not normal is for biases to dictate how we engage with patients.”
- “This is who we are as physicians. We obtain a history…interpret objective data…we pass the boards, we know what we need to do. But here is the friction point…the interpretive eye. If the interpretive eye understands the cultural, social, economic context of the patient, you’re more likely to make decisions that are very favorable.”
-
Yancy talked with residents about their career goals, as well as the importance of their own health and well being. “Physicians must engage with social movements” if they “expect to contribute meaningfully to improving health by addressing a social and structural determinant.”
“It’s not about the headcount, it’s about the diversity of thought.” - “Diversity empowers. It doesn’t impede. Diversity enhances. It doesn’t limit. Diversity includes, not excludes…And most importantly, it’s not only about representatives, it’s about thought, it’s about ideation, it’s about creativity.”
Find this Medicine Grand Rounds recorded lecture and transcript here.
Wisdom for Residents
Yancy listened to resident career goals and offered advice during a recent Morning Report. He recalled his own first appointment, and his eagerness to sign whatever the letter offered. And he cautioned trainees to be certain of what they most value, emphasizing the importance of life balance.
- “You’re entering a different professional space… where you have the license to ask questions that affect your health and wellness.”
- “Don’t go into a work place environment being apologetic about something that is necessary.”
- “You have the right to review these things and make sure the expectations meet your expectations for life.”
- “Physicians need a sense of community…they are used to externalizing things.”
- “There should be accommodations for your own cultural persuasions.”
- “There is nothing you can ever do for the sake of your family, that is sincere, that will harm your career. Nothing.”
Clyde Yancy, MD, MSc, is the Magerstadt Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. His research focuses on heart failure, heart transplantation and prevention.