Listen

To this story on our podcast

Watch

Ali Velshi on why DEI in medicine is so important

Get Involved

Engaged citizens strengthen democracy

One of the founding tenets of The Philadelphia Citizen is to get people the resources they need to become better, more engaged citizens of their city.

We hope to do that in our Good Citizenship Toolkit, which includes a host of ways to get involved in Philadelphia — whether you want to contact your City Councilmember about the challenges facing your community, get those experiencing homelessness the goods they need, or simply go out to dinner somewhere where you know your money is going toward a greater good.

Find an issue that’s important to you in the list below, and get started on your journey of A-plus citizenship.

Vote and strengthen democracy

Stand up for marginalized communities

Create a cleaner, greener Philadelphia

Help our local youth and schools succeed

Support local businesses

Listen

Ali Velshi on the Need for DEI in Medicine

The MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member on why hospitals — and Congress — must address the health care crisis of Black Americans.

Listen

Ali Velshi on the Need for DEI in Medicine

The MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member on why hospitals — and Congress — must address the health care crisis of Black Americans.

BY Ali Velshi

Apr. 01, 2024

Print

The targeting of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts has become popular in right-wing discourse and even in Congress. For Ali Velshi, this is no less than a matter of life and death.

Black Americans are in a healthcare crisis. Statistics show they are living shorter, unhealthier lives than White Americans, and one of the sources of this disparity is the racial gap in healthcare providers. Black physicians treating Black children cut mortality for Black children in half. That’s just one powerful statistic. Women, especially Black women, face dismissive care from male providers that can result in tragedy.

DEI in the medical field — or any industry — does not mean hiring and deploying unqualified medical professionals or lowering standards. It is simply about recruiting a wider range of applicants to schools and careers from different ethnicities, backgrounds and genders that better represent the society at large they serve. It is demonstrably proven that in all industries and services, when providers represent the client, consumer or user, outcomes are improved for everyone involved.

To discuss how DEI initiatives in medicine are improving patients’ lives and chances for a healthy life, Velshi welcomed Dr. Ebony Hilton and Dr. Uché Blackstock to speak on the subject.

LISTEN: ALI VELSHI TALKS DEI IN MEDICINE WITH DRS. HILTON AND BLACKSTOCK: 

 

WATCH: ALI VELSHI ON THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF DEI IN THE MEDICAL FIELD:

MORE FROM MSNBC’S ALI VELSHI

Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi Kamala Harris' visit to Planned Parenthood
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi on the Danger of the Protest Vote
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi Says to Take Trump at his Word
By Ali Velshi
Related from The Citizen
Listen: Ali Velshi on the danger of Michigan GOP infighting
By Ali Velshi

Advertising Terms

We do not accept political ads, issue advocacy ads, ads containing expletives, ads featuring photos of children without documented right of use, ads paid for by PACs, and other content deemed to be partisan or misaligned with our mission. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and all affiliate content will be nonpartisan in nature. Advertisements are approved fully at The Citizen's discretion. Advertisements and sponsorships have different tax-deductible eligibility. For questions or clarification on these conditions, please contact Director of Sales & Philanthropy Kristin Long at KL@thephiladelphiacitizen.org or call (609)-602-0145.

Photo and video disclaimer for attending Citizen events

By entering an event or program of The Philadelphia Citizen, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. Your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with The Philadelphia Citizen and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising. By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event premises.