Imagine the possibility of transforming healthcare by increasing the representation of black and brown physicians. In a recent podcast episode, we had the pleasure of featuring Dr Jasmine Weiss, a pediatrician, diversity, equity, and inclusion researcher, and children’s book author. Her journey intertwines health, education, and economic mobility in minority communities, driven by her father’s influence, as she embarks on a quest to redefine the healthcare landscape.
Born prematurely, Dr Weiss grew up with respiratory breathing issues. These experiences inspired her to become a pediatrician and help others as her own pediatrician helped her. Her family, particularly her father, played an instrumental role in shaping her path. Her father’s entrepreneurial drive as a self-employed roofer, alongside his strong presence in her life, influenced her aspirations to become not only a doctor but also an entrepreneur.
As an assistant professor at the School of Medicine and CEO of iDream Enterprise LLC, Dr Weiss combines her profession, research, podcasts, and entrepreneurial pursuits. Her research focuses on how Historically Black Colleges have contributed significantly to the physician workforce, providing insights into the importance of diversity and representation in the healthcare industry.
Dr Weiss is currently leading innovative initiatives, such as Health Career Boot Camps and her upcoming mobile platform, BlackMed Connect. These projects aim to inspire younger students to pursue medicine and enhance representation in the healthcare system. Through the Health Career Boot Camps, students not only meet professionals from diverse backgrounds but also learn about disease processes and patient care.
The upcoming mobile platform, BlackMed Connect, will facilitate connections between underrepresented students and healthcare professionals, fostering a more inclusive healthcare workforce. Through her initiatives, Dr Weiss has been able to provide paid internships and support students applying to medical school, demonstrating the positive impacts of her projects.
Striking a balance between her many roles as a pediatrician, researcher, podcast host, and entrepreneur, Dr Weiss is a testament to the importance of time management and prioritization. She believes in the importance of taking early action and the necessity for increasing representation in the healthcare workforce.
Dr Weiss envisions an increase in representation and diversification of the healthcare workforce in the coming years. She emphasizes the importance of early exposure to medicine for younger students and the necessity for medical schools to recruit from a diverse pool of students. Her research and initiatives underscore the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the healthcare system, driving a transformation that aims to improve patient care and address disparities in healthcare.
This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for change within the healthcare industry. Through the efforts of individuals like Dr Jasmine Weiss, we can work towards a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive healthcare system, providing quality care for all.
