Kathryn Reed (SHRS ’14 ’16G) returned to her alma mater last summer not only to share medical expertise, but also to bolster inclusion efforts for future Certified Medical Assistants (PAs).
“I’ve always said Pitt prepares you for whatever career you pursue. I think that was true of my emergency medicine studies and medical assistant. I felt very supported and gained so much knowledge, ”said Reed, who is also the founder and president of the National Society of Black Physician Assistants.
Reed said the Physician Assistant Studies division at the Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has taken a change for the better since she was a student at Pitt by working to improve the learning environment and educational experience for all students, including students of paint .
Check out Pitt’s Diversity Dashboard
The University of Pittsburgh is dedicated to changing internal practices, structures and attitudes to achieve a truly fairer and more equitable Pitt. A website and a number of diversity dashboards are available to the community to ensure transparency and accountability.
“During my clinical year, one or two teachers made comments that made it clear to me that while the goal of diversifying medicine across many areas was widely discussed, the reality of being a paint provider to have these encounters was uncomfortable at best and emotionally exhausting and at worst, harmful. I want to work on eliminating those experiences for color students who come into the program after me, ”she said. “I know Pitt’s program is fantastic and that these encounters weren’t really representative of how much support I felt from the faculty. My goal in bringing these events to the faculty’s attention was to work together to make change. “
According to a 2019 survey report by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, black medical assistants make up just 3.6% of their workforce in the United States. Reed wants that number to go up, starting with Pitt.
“It’s about finding your ‘blind spots’ as a program or provider, recognizing damage caused intentionally or unintentionally, and working to bring about lasting change. The meaningful action taken by the department and the attention to detail in this effort are only part of what makes me proud to be an alum of the program, ”she said.
Create a network for students
Reed’s experience as a student led her to work with her advisor and assistant professor, David Beck, who now chairs the Department of Medical Assistant Studies. In 2018, the two set out to improve the academic space for colored medical assistants.
It was at this point that the gears began to turn to move beyond university and also to create the National Society of Black Physician Assistants.
“The conversation with the faculty in Pitt was the beginning,” Reed said. “And when I talked about their experiences with PA friends I met in my undergraduate degree, I felt like they weren’t my blinkers. others had the same experience. After realizing this, I felt we could start the process in earnest. “
Society serves black medical assistants as a resource for improving educational and health outcomes. The group addresses the diversity issues and challenges faced by medical assistants of different races and ethnic backgrounds. The company, founded in 2019, creates a community that promotes the exchange of knowledge, care and support.
The society ran a student mentoring program in January that distributed surveys to collect results data. The society also hosted virtual events for medical assistants in training last year to encourage student engagement in PA practice and PA program advisors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Improve space for students
The Pitt Medical Assistant Studies Division recently introduced a policy for when students with similar colors experience situations like Reed. This is part of their inclusion initiative to promote the climate of inclusivity between students, staff and faculties. This includes a professionalism and abuse report form in which students and teachers can confidentially identify abuse or unprofessional behavior.
“We have made it clear that there is a system in place by which these can be addressed and dealt with in an appropriate manner by the faculty and staff without any impact,” said Beck. “We’re all part of the same system that has its flaws, but we’ve increased the training required for ourselves as faculty and staff, as well as for our clinical partners and preceptors.
“Problems of inclusion and support for students of all identities can be hidden in places that are not necessarily obvious. There have always been opportunities to improve these areas. When I became director of our program in 2018, it was a tidal wave for me to learn more about our students’ experiences and delve deeper into the literature on student inclusion in higher education, ”he said. “It is up to all of us to work together to improve.”
Reed said students facing microaggression in an academic setting should make their own comments and speak to friends or academic advisors about it.
“I wish I had shared my experience earlier,” she said. “And when students don’t feel supported by their respective departments or groups, seeking advice from professional associations or mentors can make the chain of command less daunting.”
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