Meet the Black OBGYNs fighting medical racism one TikTok at a time – Reckon

Fifteen minutes wasn’t enough time for OB-GYN Dr. Heather Irobunda to provide her patients with the information they need. Her work, which includes prenatal care, family planning, and other aspects of reproductive health, often necessitates detailed conversations about anatomy and bodily functions.

Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins, an OB-GYN based in New Jersey, shares this sentiment:”I love to educate and as a medical professional it’s very, very hard for us to educate in the 15 minutes that we have to see a patient, evaluate a patient, and write their notes and submit everything.”

They’re OB-GYNs treating patients in exam rooms, but Irobunda and Perkins are also teachers to millions on TikTok. Their videos on reproductive health aren’t just changing how women understand their bodies, they’re aiming to overcome the racial disparities and mistrust faced by women of color in the U.S. healthcare system.

As a recent, first time mom, Perkins finds pregnancy-focused content to be her most rewarding. She feels it gives her a deeper connection to her patients.

“Pregnancy right now can just be really scary for a lot of reasons, especially in the United States,” she said. “To bring peace to people and to help them through that transition and to bring a child about in a very healthy fashion is very important to me so I enjoy that probably the most.”

The U.S. faces a harrowing maternal mortality rate which disproportionately impacts women and birth givers of color. Black women specifically are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black Maternal Health Week, April 11 to 17, recognizing these racial disparities, striving to bring awareness to these preventable deaths.

Why culture and representation matters

A 2023 CDC report found that 1 in 5 women reported mistreatment while receiving maternal care, with 40% of Black, Latino and multiracial individuals reporting discrimination. This leads to medical mistrust in communities of color, which research shows is linked to worst health outcomes for patients.

Given these disparities, both Irobunda and Perkins emphasize the importance of representation in medical settings.

“There’s a lot of mistrust. It’s very important that people can feel connected to their providers and oftentimes one of the first ways the people feel connected with each other is through similarity, is through representation, is through connecting with culture,” said Perkins.

Irobunda pointed to an example by nurse and fellow TikTok creator Nika Marie Noel who posted a video in July 2023 about her experience witnessing a non-Black doctor assume a patient was hearing voices because the patient was hitting her head. In reality, the patient was patting her weave.

“It took a Black woman coming in to say ‘that’s a weave, she’s fine,’” said Irobunda. She notes that cultural awareness can’t be solved by having a doctor of color in every room, but even a non-Black student training under a Black provider could help spread awareness of cultural references.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, less than 11% of OB-GYNs are Black.

On social media Irobunda weaves culture and media hot topics into her teachings. In February, rapper Sexyy Red posted in-hospital photos shortly after giving birth. Irobunda used these to create a TikTok video answering questions about postpartum physical activity.

“My target audience in my mind are people like my best friend or my sister, both are women of color. My best friend is a Latina from the Bronx,” she said, adding that she makes content to answer questions they, and anyone else who is not a trained professional, would understand.

Her content covers the full OB-GYN spectrum. She voices stances on reproductive justice issues like the mifepristone case, explains abnormal pap smear results, and uses popular TikTok songs to show the human side of medical professionals. “I think people forget that we’re real people too.”

Perkins realized early in her career how a lack of information harms patients. She felt disappointed when patients didn’t know crucial information about their medical histories.

“I realized it’s not their fault. It is the result of the provider because we did not educate them enough,” explained Perkins. “We did not have those conversations with them. I blame the providers for [patients] not knowing and because of that, I take it as a task myself to educate so that you understand what’s going on with your body.”

Above all, Perkins and Irobunda hope their platforms empower followers to become self-advocates. About 45% of participants in a 2023 CDC report said they held back questions or refrained from discussing concerns with their doctor.

“The biggest thing I want people to learn from watching my videos is to ask questions,” said Irobunda. “You should never be afraid of asking questions and I want them to pique interest in their bodies, in their health and the people who are providing care.”