Morgan State University and Xavier University Acquire New Medical Schools
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Cultural competency is still a significant factor in health disparities faced by Black and other minority communities. There’s a lack of trust and understanding between healthcare providers and these underserved communities, which can ultimately decrease quality of life and worsen health outcomes.
One way to address health disparities amongst minority communities is to encourage Black youth to pursue medical careers.
In addition, there’s a need for more diverse healthcare providers that can provide personalized and culturally competent care to those in underserved communities.
Thankfully, the latest news from HBCUs Morgan State University and Xavier University shows hope for the future.
These two HBCUs will join Howard and Morehouse as they are soon to receive medical schools on their campuses. The ultimate goal of these new medical schools is to expand the network of Black doctors across the United States.
“Planners say these physicians will be vital to filling in health-care gaps in communities of color and stemming the tide against a long historic legacy of white supremacy in the medical field” (AL.com).
According to the Center for Education Consumers Insights, these four HBCUs have produced the highest amount of Black doctors since 2019:
Howard University
Meharry Medical College
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Morehouse College
In addition, roughly 10% of Black medical school students have graduated from an HBCU, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Unfortunately, Black students who decide to attend predominantly white institutions (PWIs), are more likely to face discrimination from faculty and peers. However, a recent study revealed that HBCUs provide a sense of belonging and boost self-confidence compared to PWIs.
“Our findings suggest that Black medical students in PWI schools may experience greater everyday discrimination relative to their HBCU peers that leads to reduced perceptions of their ability to succeed within medical school,” said Dr. Sylvia Perry, the study’s senior researcher and an associate professor of psychology at Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University.
Morgan State plans to welcome its first cohort of 700 students to its College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2024, with Xavier starting their program in 2025.