Since Black People Fair Best With Black Doctors, Where Are the Black-Owned & Staffed Medical Facilities?

Research shows that when Black people are treated and cared for by Black medical staff, they have much better outcomes overall. History can account for all the Black nurses and physicians who saved the lives of not hundreds but thousands of Black people who were routinely turned away from hospitals that were controlled and operated by the white population.

Looking back on Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler MD, an African American female pioneer in medicine during the 1800s who saved the lives of many Black people just emancipated from slavery in the South. We can also see the life of Nina Littlejohn, the founder of the first licensed medical facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, launched due to racism in the early 1900s to save the lives of Black people.

Since history has proven that there is always and will always be a need for Black healthcare workers in all fields, it’s time to not only found more Black-owned facilities and staff them with Black physicians, but also make certain that they are in the heart of Black neighborhoods across America.

Of the population there are less than 15% of Black physicians caring for the Black population, who may very were have a better understanding of the population’s concerns, needs and overall state of mind and mental health. This carries much weight when it comes to disease prevention and strong fluid communication from doctor to patient.

Because there is a need for more Black-owned facilities in the country, here are tips for anyone wanting to get the ball rolling in that direction.

• Know the Law – Hire an attorney or read for yourself the laws of your state regarding opening a medical clinic such as licensing and other necessary items.
• Learn how Other Black Entrepreneurs Did It and Follow Suit – See the above mentioned pioneers in Black medicine and healthcare, and also find other successful Black physicians in your area who can show you the ropes.
• Understand the Costs, Not Just the Medicine – With everything comes balance, therefore, understand the business aspect of the clinic as well as how to deliver great patient care. Also, keep the money flowing with an as needed loan from a Black-owned bank while also understanding insurance and collections.
• Know Empathy and Client Service Well
• Be Fully Equipped – Your clinic doesn’t have to be the biggest to be the best as long as it is fully equipped to handle a certain amount of care.
• Become a Doctor