Black Physicians of Utah is a non-profit organization working to increase the number of Black physicians in the state through retention and recruitment. By working toward the organization’s goal, we can increase equitable representation in the medical profession and help to eliminate racial health disparities. Utah is growing more diverse; to deliver the best care for all communities, our medical professionals must also become more diverse.

As a young Black man born and raised in Washington D.C., I was never too far removed from seeing a path into medicine. There may not have been any physicians in my family, but my family knew of Black Physicians in the Washington D.C. area. Knowing the presence of Black physicians and having access to them built trust and confidence in my family over the years when it came to seeking healthcare. There were, of course, racial health disparities that existed in D.C. 40 years ago, as they do now in Utah and throughout our nation. However, these disparities were more likely to be recognized and addressed by the Black physicians in the area compared to non-Black physicians.

Growing up and knowing that there were physicians in the community who looked like me made me recognize that I could be like them and pursue a career in medicine if I desired. Unfortunately, a young Black student in Utah may not find a path, as I did, into medicine due to the mere fact that they may never meet or know of a Black physician in their lifetime. One of our own University of Utah BPOU mentees went 24 years without meeting a Black physician until he joined our group, and he is not alone. The Black Physicians of Utah (BPOU) was formed to address the under-representation of Black physicians in the state by building a community among current Black physicians, residents, and students working or living in Utah.

Bridging the Gaps in Healthcare

Within Utah and across the U.S., many African Americans and Black people don’t trust the health care system. The documented history of abuse, mistreatment, and racism within the health profession justifiably led to this mistrust. Black Utahns represent 1.9% of the current population but only make up 0.06% of all physicians in the State. It is 2022, and if we all work together, we can address this issue and show Black students a path into medicine.

I established BPOU in late March of 2021 through the help of a non-physician colleague, Nchopia Nwokoma, who helped to begin the social and philanthropic organization called the Young Professionals of Salt Lake City or YPSLC. I only knew of about four Black physicians in March 2021. Although I knew organizing BPOU would likely reveal that there were more than just the four of us. Now, after 13 months, we have 23 members, and we continue to grow as we recruit and retain Black physicians in the State.

The Goals of the Black Physicians of Utah

Community to build belonging
Creating a community of fellowship can also help more Black physicians remain in the state. Currently, many Black health professionals may feel like they don’t belong. They might not interact with any other people of color during the workday. By creating a greater sense of community among Black health professionals, we can help these talented physicians stay in the state.

Investing in the future
We are also working to recruit more Black students into the medical field. Our mentorship program is focused on undergraduates as well as medical students. However, there are less than two dozen Black medical students in Utah. The program will also help us influence students in their undergraduate years when they are still deciding on their future career paths.

We are working to connect with Black student unions at the University of Utah, Weber State, Brigham Young University, and other colleges in the state to get in front of students either virtually or in person. We need to show young Black students they have options in the medical field; specifically, pre-med is a path for them, and we can and want to help.

Representation in Medicine Matters
It may not be well known to many non-BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) providers, as this information is generally not covered in medical school: healthcare outcomes are improved when a Black physician provides care to a Black patient.

Research studies performed over the past three decades have demonstrated that a Black doctor can help increase important healthcare communication with Black patients, which can help with healthcare compliance, which could lead to offsetting some negative health outcomes. The reason Black patients often fare better with a Black doctor often comes down to the Black provider having increased cultural competency and less racial or implicit bias towards a Black patient. Therefore, our goals at BPOU are not only to increase the number of Black doctors in the State but to increase awareness and solutions towards addressing century-long health disparities amongst Black Americans.

Having a resource of trusted black physicians in the community gives black citizens someone to turn to for health advice. They may feel more comfortable sharing their health issues, needs, and fears with doctors of similar backgrounds and ethnicity. While they might not trust the information they receive from the CDC or the government, they can trust a doctor who has been in their shoes. We can build a directory of black medical professionals, from midwives to dentists, to make it easy for people to find someone they trust to provide care. We know this is an important part of consistent care; when you trust your physician, you are more likely to seek care when you need it and are thus more likely to follow your doctor’s advice.

Accomplishments of BPOU to Date:

• Enrolled over 19 students into our mentorship program, where we paired a Black pre-med or medical student with a current BPOU physician member
• Participated in over 10 webinars addressing COVID education and vaccine updates
• Developed partnerships with University of Utah Health Plans, University of Utah School of Medicine, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, U.S. Airforce and the Utah Hospital Association
• Participated in several COVID vaccination drives to improve vaccination numbers in minority communities.
• Participated in several health fairs and churches where we educated the public on preventative health measures and the importance of seeking care

How All Family Doctors Can Help Support the Mission of BPOU

Family Medicine physicians in Utah can be the lead for change, as we are for so many aspects of healthcare, by doing several things:

1. Become an affiliated member so Black pre-med students can shadow and learn from a doctor who is deeply aware of the institutional and structural forces often working against these students.
2. Be willing to work or partner with BPOU during community education and awareness events so Black Utahns will have increased trust in the health care system. Increasing trust amongst healthcare providers consistently leads to better health outcomes, and family doctors can play a big part in that.
3. BPOU is non-profit and thus can only be sustained through funding acquired through donations, fundraising and grants. Family physicians (or anyone who wants to support our organization) could assist BPOU through donations towards scholarships, education campaigns or aiding in the research and writing of grants.

Ultimately, our goal is to improve health equity within the state. If you are a Black student or Black physician in Utah, consider joining our organization and visit our website. We offer easy access to socialization, mentorship, and fellowship, without dues or fees.

BPOU provides an opportunity to positively change the lives of other health professionals and Black people in Utah and become involved. If you are ready to join us, we are here to provide you with support and community.