Black Men in Medicine lead the charge for community education and support |
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UCF’s Black Men in Medicine gathered at the event’s photo booth, showcasing unity and support for sickle cell disease. The team, led by organization president Ibdul Ibrahim (third from right), joined forces with gala director Jasmine Thompson (third from left) to stand in solidarity for those who suffer from sickle cell disease.
The Black Men in Medicine convened with UCF at Orlando’s Lair Venue for the Sickle Cell Awareness Gala on Saturday, bringing forth the impact of sickle cell disease.
Led by Abdul Ibrahim, the organization’s president, he said the group has swiftly taken strides to address healthcare disparities within minority communities.
“Attending the sickle cell gala is crucial for us because it provides a platform to bridge understanding, raise awareness and foster support within the healthcare community,” Ibrahim said. “Our presence signifies our commitment to advocating for those affected by sickle cell and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities.”
Ibrahim said the invitation to the gala emphasizes the congruence of the group’s mission with the gala’s aim to foster support and acknowledge the vital role of Black representation in the healthcare community. The collaboration underscores a collective endeavor to address health disparities and advance inclusivity within the medical field.
“It starts a conversation that isn’t commonly had in the Black and brown community about what sickle cell is,” Ibrahim said. “I only recently learned that I carry the sickle cell trait.”
Sickle cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder affecting red blood cells, disproportionately impacts African Americans and other minority groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans and occurs in about one out of every 365 African American births.
The Black Men in Medicine organization, founded last fall, held its first general body meeting this spring, marking a significant step in their mission to increase the representation of Black healthcare professionals.
Black Men in Medicine organized various fundraisers, including candy and Valentine’s Day events, as well as a Black Friday fundraiser late last year, to raise awareness and funds for sickle cell research and support programs.
The gala served as a platform for education and advocacy, with attendees participating in discussions, speeches and fundraising efforts to support individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease.
“This is our first sickle cell gala and we seek to educate our community, celebrate strength and resilience and honor those who have been affected by sickle cell,” said Jasmine Thompson, director of the gala, expressing her commitment to raising awareness and support for the cause.
Attendees actively conversed, sought support for individuals affected by sickle cell and enhanced awareness while enjoying music. The vibrant atmosphere included a photo booth with sickle cell awareness signs, further amplifying the dialogue and encouraging a sense of community.
“We hope to attend this annually and continue spreading the word about sickle cell disease,” Ibrahim said.
Maya Bloomberg, board-certified family nurse practitioner, highlighted a significant misconception surrounding sickle cell, compounded by systemic healthcare disparities. In discussing the broader healthcare system, she underscored its predisposition towards discriminatory practices, particularly in addressing chronic pain, further exacerbating individuals of color.
“I think there is a huge misunderstanding when it comes to sickle cell. When we think about our healthcare system, in general, it’s very discriminatory to chronic pain, and then compound being a person of color, it’s even worse,” Bloomberg said. “We have providers who don’t fully understand sickle cell and just view it as a disorder that causes pain and anemia, when in reality, it can cause head-to-toe complications, and their own implicit bias that, unfortunately, can impact the care and treatment for individuals with sickle.”
Bloomberg urges the need to treat every patient with compassion, acknowledging that patients have lives, families and work, all of which are profoundly influenced by the unpredictable nature of these crises. She stressed that the repercussions extend beyond the individual, affecting the entire family unit.
“These numbers aren’t just statistics, they represent real people, real families and real pain. As a community, we’d be remiss to ignore it,” said Thompson.
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