Attending a career-related workshop or seminar (2 POINTS) - (MARY ELLA ALEXANDER CLASS OF 2028)

  

    I attended the Reproductive Chat with Dr. Chambers, the Period Doctor, on why early reproductive health education matters. She spoke of the health disparities and gaps that she had seen in minority women during her time in medical school and how they have less access to accurate reproductive health education. Disparities in outcomes, treatments, and diagnoses have become more prominent due to the spread of inaccurate information. Thus, she ensures to support neglected communities such as Black women who suffer from abnormal menstrual pains, PCOS, and more. Dr. Chambers also explained that she has seen attendings overlook minority women and exhibit microaggressions while giving them inadequate care. This caused her to be looked at as difficult when all she was doing was advocating for her patients. Her time during residency showed that women should not have to suffer with symptoms because they are seen as something that all women have to deal with. 

This chat gave me a new perspective when it comes to public health because it demonstrated how issues within reproductive health can be addressed sooner when this information is taught at a younger age. Treatment can begin early, prevent complications, and allow for younger people to be more knowledgeable about STIs, pregnancies, and menstrual cycles. The chat also explained how to close health gaps and reduce community disparities. Black girls and underserved youth do not often have access to medically accurate reproductive health information, and this causes outcomes related to reproductive health to worsen. Early reproductive health education allows these disparities to be diminished and equips girls with the necessary information for their health. 

This aligns with my career goals as I also want to be an OB/GYN who advocates for minority women. As Dr. Chambers conveyed, Black women have expressed their concerns while in the delivery room, and yet they were ignored because it was deemed as the standard. I want to build a space where women can advocate for themselves and be self-aware of the health system. This builds trust with the doctor and patient, which I desire to create in that vulnerable medical environment.