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In the social lounge of the Barner-McDuffie House, surrounded by Afrocentric artwork, Black women working in the healthcare industry gathered Wednesday night to discuss health and wellness services available at Syracuse University and the lack of representation for Black health professionals. Panelists also shared why they chose a career in health and wellness.

The four guest speakers shared their experiences in their respective industries and offered advice on navigating the healthcare field amid the lack of diversity. The discussion was co-hosted with the Black, Indigenous and People of Color Student Success and Experience Division as part of SU’s Black History Month celebration, which aims to educate students and faculty while amplifying the voices of students of color.

“Every space that I choose to go to, I belong there,” said Simone Adams, the associate director for diversity in Health and Wellness at the Barnes Center at The Arch. She also said she wants students of color to be confident navigating their own journeys as future healthcare professionals and not question whether they belong in academic or professional environments.

Adams encouraged students to take pride in their accomplishments despite underrepresentation and not let it prevent them from pursuing a career in healthcare.

Latasha Wagner, a licensed practical nurse at the Barnes Center and St. Joseph’s Health Hospital in Syracuse, said she saw the lack of diversity in health and wellness fields reflected in her nursing school classes. After working as a nurse for 14 years, Wagner said she is still the only Black nurse at her hospital.

“When I was in school, I didn’t have anyone that looked like me,” Wagner said. “One nurse said she went to an HBCU and walked into the office and was like ‘OMG, a Black nurse.’”

Just 5.7% of physicians in the United States identify as Black or African American, according to CNN Health. The number reflects a large disparity in Black representation in healthcare, as an estimated 12% of the U.S. population is Black or African American.

Brianna Rivera, a pre-doctoral intern at the Barnes Center, said she’s also noticed a lack of Black people in her field. Rivera said when compared to other professions, healthcare is one of few areas where workers of cultural or ethnic minorities are likely to be the only person of their background in the workplace.

The panelists also discussed how the lack of representation in healthcare can lead to distrust for Black patients. Reighan Alston, the assistant director of fitness programs at the Barnes Center, said that more diversity among health professionals would make Black patients feel more comfortable; seeing people who look like them would help create a safe space.

“It’s important because just seeing someone that looks like you gives you some sort of comfort,” Alston said. “Seeing a doctor that looks like you gives you this sigh of relief.”

Lisa GreenPope, the director of operations at the Barnes Center, echoed Alston. She said she believes creating more opportunities for Black professionals can help shift perspectives on Black healthcare workers.

GreenPope also said recent efforts from President Donald Trump to limit diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives could impact healthcare industries and professionals. This negatively impacts Black healthcare professionals during the hiring process, she said.

Without DEIA initiatives, Black healthcare workers face potential discrimination. GreenPope said students of color should still seek a career in healthcare, even with the pushback at the federal level.

“The Black community needs help, Black people are the recipients of help, but Black people are also helping,” GreenPope said.

Kayla King, a graduate student at SU studying biology on the pre-med track, said she hopes to become a doctor and came to the event in hopes of learning directly from Black professionals in the field.

King also said she wanted to learn about the health resources available at the Barnes Center, which the panelists stressed the importance of using. Wagner pointed to the many resources available, including fitness classes, pet therapy, counseling services and therapy at the Crowley MindSpa.

“I went in with an open mind and I’m glad that I actually went, especially toward the end where they were talking about the resources on campus because some of the stuff I did not know about,” King said.

The discussion concluded on a positive note, with the panel emphasizing that despite representation issues, students interested in a career in the health and wellness fields should still embrace the journey.

Panelists also said that support from other people of color in healthcare would always be available, stressing how valuable the mentorship of current Black professionals in the healthcare field could be.

“Coming here has been refreshing and seeing Black folks, Black counselors on staff,” Rivera said. “(I’m) reassuring myself I have gotten this far, but also encouraging other folks who have gotten this far like ‘go us!’”

Published on February 17, 2025 at 12:17 am