The United States medical industry has, historically, been run by and filled with white men. What happens when a Kennesaw State student attempts to disrupt that status quo of the medical industry?
KSU senior chemistry major and president of the Minorities in Medicine club Katie Birt is the face on campus that is helping change that status quo.
The Minorities in Medicine club serves to educate and prepare minorities who want to pursue careers in medicine.
The organization was started in Fall 2016 with the “mission to empower and enlighten minorities in medicine by exposing them to the necessary resources and opportunities needed to succeed,” according to their Owl Life page.
Birt believes that there is a sense of alienation that comes with being a person of color in a field surrounded by unfamiliar faces.
“It’s difficult when you’re the only person who looks like you because you have to conform to something isn’t entirely you, but you still want to be a part of it,” Birt said.
The lack of people of color in the healthcare industry can be deadly for patients. For example, black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women, according to the CDC. These complications can stem from the lack of minority doctors, who may understand their patient a bit more if they are a minority.
Birt believes that having a healthcare provider that can relate to and understand your pain can be lifesaving.
In 2017, tennis star Serena Williams nearly became part of that bleak statistic when nurses initially overlooked her concern of blood clots in her lungs after giving birth.
“If Serena Williams is having these problems, what do you assume is happening to regular people, people on Medicare, people who don’t have anything?” Birt said. “The best way to raise awareness is to inform people and expose people to what they’re going to face.”
As president, Birt’s mission is to help others recognize their potential.
Being a successful president means “putting someone in the position to be the best them that they can be, putting them in the best position to get the internships they want, the jobs they want, the career field they want,” Birt said.
MIM has no shortage of opportunities for its members.
Members can build their resume and gain professional experience by participating in research and internship opportunities. Several members work under associate professor of chemistry education Dr. Kimberly Cortes in KSU’s “BrainLab.”
Part of the club’s professional development includes participating in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Minority Student Medical Career Fair. Here, students participate in panels and workshops about medical school applications, career pathways and medical procedures.
Last year, MIM had six members attend the conference, but Birt hopes to have at least 12 members represent KSU at this year’s conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
In addition to professional opportunities, the club also hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. Their first fundraiser will takes place Sept. 21 and benefits Simple Needs GA, a local charity that collects clothes, toys and house supplies for families experiencing homelessness.
Besides increasing membership, Birt hopes to expand the club’s on-campus presence and partner with campus resources, including the Women’s Resource Center.
MIM also plans to partner with the Kennesaw Pride Alliance for Pride Month. Birt’s goal in doing that is to make the club “more of a safe space” for underrepresented communities.
Whether through research, volunteer opportunities or social events, Birt hopes every member leaves well-prepared to handle every challenge that comes with being a minority in the medical field.
For more information, visit MIM’s Owl Life page.
