Episode 17: Minority Leadership in Medicine

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, while 28.7 percent of the total candidates currently waiting for transplants are Black/African Americans, they comprised only 12.5 percent of organ donors in 2019. In addition, Black/African Americans have higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure than their Caucasian counterparts, putting them at increased risk for organ failures. In this episode, Tim welcomes Clive Callender, MD, a renowned transplant surgeon, medical professor at Howard University, and pioneer in increasing awareness of transplant medicine among minority segments of the population. Dr. Callender discusses how leadership and understanding, and education about organ transplants can make a big difference in empowering change. Tim also reflects on how Dr. Callender’s work may also help in other public health areas, such as engaging minority communities to become vaccinated for COVID-19.