This episode of SFSE is the last in our series of rebroadcasted episodes on the history of AA in medicine and ophthalmology for Black history month and features my conversation with ophthalmologist, Dr. Clifton Peay. Dr Peay is an ophthalmologist practicing in Richmond Virginia specializing in glaucoma, refractive, cataract, laser, and anterior segment surgery. He has served on the Board of the National Medical Association’s ophthalmology section and as the Chair of the Roman Barnes Society of Ophthalmology and has a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of AA in ophthalmology. We learn th ..read more

As we continue through black history month we are continuing our rebroadcast of the series of episodes addressing the history of the AA experience in medicine and ophthalmology that was first published last year. This first episode is of my conversation with Dr. Lenworth Johnson, a Neuro-ophthalmologist and the author of the book Breaking the Color Line in Medicine, African Americans in Ophthalmology. Breaking the Color Line in Medicine, African Americans in Ophthalmology ..read more

The national medical association or NMA is a professional and scientific organization and the largest and oldest national organization representing the interests of African American physicians and their patients in the United States.  The NMA Ophthalmology Section has a long and storied history and to learn more about the current organization, I spoke with Drs. Fasika Woreta and Basil Williams, the immediate and future chairs of the section. They are passionate about and focused on moving the NMA OS forward in its mission despite some of the challenges and headwinds faced from the current ..read more

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Stephen McLeod, the CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, addressing the importance of creating spaces where diversity can thrive, the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action and how it affects AAO, and what the academy is doing to support the cognitive specialties of ophthalmology, including my field of Neuro-ophthalmology.  ..read more

Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to bring important and hopefully thought provoking conversations through the sight for site eyes podcast highlighting the world of DEI in ophthalmology. I’ve also been able to highlight the unique field of Neuro-ophthalmology through the out of the Blindspot podcast. I’m particularly excited for the conversation that will be featured in the next couple of episodes in the first of its kind cross over event for the two podcasts I produce. That’s because I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dr. Stephen McLeod, the chief executive officer of t ..read more

In the last episode we began a conversation with Drs. Janice Law, Jacquelyn O’Banion, and Ninita Brown about the work they are doing building bridges for HBCU medical students to gain experience in the field of ophthalmology. In this episode, we continue our conversation and learn more about how their unique backgrounds and experiences have shaped their perceptions of the Inclusion, Equity and Diversity space and how they see their programs evolving moving forward. Dr. Janice Law Dr. Ninita Brown Dr. Jacquelyn O'Banion --> Global Ophthalmology Summit 2024 Meharry Medical College Moreh ..read more

Historically black colleges and universities or HBCUs were born out of America’s history of systemic racism and segregation with the the law of separate but equal instituted at the turn of the 20th century. These institutions  have played integral roles in the development and support of black professionals including physicians. Because HBCUs have and continue to produce more URiM physicians than all majority institutions combined, they can potentially play a pivotal role in addressing the pipeline shortage of underrepresented ophthalmologists entering our field. To take a closer look at h ..read more

In the last episode, we heard a cautionary tale from Dr. Vandana Reddy about a DEI related conflict within her organization that significantly impacted her professional life. We also learned from Dr. Lynn Gordon that these situations are not uncommon and that we need to be ready to address potential DEI-related conflict in our organizations and professional lives. In the next part of our conversation in we learn about the origins of Dr. Reddy’s interest in DEI, the lessons she’s learned from her cautionary tale, and what she proposes as potential solutions to prevent similar situations moving ..read more

Today, we bring a cautionary tale that should make us reflect on how effectively the spaces and organizations we work in adequately employ the concepts of inclusion equity and diversity to everyone. I speak with an individual whose experience has impacted her professional life and motivated her to tell her story so others who may have had or be having a similar experience can know they’re not alone. We also speak with an individual who has real, practical experience, perspective, and expertise in DEI and helps us contextualize and operationalize what an appropriate response should be when face ..read more

In April of this year, I was invited to give a grand rounds presentation to the Weill Cornell department of ophthalmology in NYC by my friend and North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society DEI committee member Cristiano Oliveira, as part of their Diversity week activities. This episode is the recording of that talk edited slightly for time and content. My trip to New York was a wonderful experience that gave me the opportunity to share my DEI and podcast journeys, the origin story of the SFSE podcast, and some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way.  Weill Cornell DEI Week Presentatio ..read more