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    The Growth of Minority Representation in Ophthalmology

    I want to thank David W. Parke II, MD, for his reflec­tion on developments within the practice of ophthalmol­ogy, especially shifts in the demographics of physicians practicing in the field (Cur­rent Perspective, December 2021).

    It is not surprising—and is indeed encouraging—that racial representation in medi­cine has increased in recent years. As a Black medical student aspiring to specialize in ophthalmology, I have experienced the effects of diversity initiatives in the field firsthand.

    In 2020, I joined the Academy’s Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program (aao.org/minority-mentoring). Being matched with an experienced physician and being given a platform to connect with like-minded students have been the two most important factors in fostering my interest and involvement in ophthalmology.

    Programs such as this are successful because they provide students with access to opportunities in research and clinical experience. In my case, having a mentoring program has been especially impactful because I am enrolled in a medical school that lacks a home ophthalmology department. Another benefit of the program is that it showcases leaders in ophthalmology who come from underrepresented backgrounds. And when medical students have a role model that they can see themselves in, they are more likely to match into the same specialty as that role model.1

    Racial representation in medicine is an important aspect of health care because of the role it plays in building and maintaining patient-physician relations. As Dr. Parke men­tions, the dynamic between physicians and patients in oph­thalmology has evolved. As patients have taken a more active role in their health, it has become increasingly necessary to ensure that they are well-connected with their physicians. Encouraging minority representation in the field of oph­thalmology is one way to further connect physicians with the diverse communities they serve, improving the overall quality of patient care.

    Chisom Madu, BS
    City University of New York School of Medicine,
    New York City

    ___________________________

    1 Yoon JD et al. J Grad Med Educ. 2018;10(2):149-154.

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