Artist's Statement: Reach Back to Pull Forward.

Abstract

I digitally painted Reach Back to Pull Forward, on the cover of this issue, to show the need for representation in medicine. The saying, “you are what you see,” stands especially true in this political climate. Being a Black physician can be isolating, so it is imperative that Black physicians build a ladder for those who come after us. In this work, I signified the traditional physician regalia through the black and forest green gown while maintaining the innocence of childhood, as represented by the school uniform. I put a beam of light in front of the two figures to represent progress, as they walk hand in hand to show togetherness.Reach Back to Pull ForwardI was inspired by the sense of community I felt when caring for a little Black girl who came into the emergency department—she had minor injuries from a motor vehicle crash. The girl was restless, and her mother said to her, “Listen to your aunty.” As a Black physician, I often have this kind of relationship with Black patients I have just met. This makes it possible for me to work with families who are resistant to care and have unguarded discussions about treatment, because they might trust me. I feel a personal responsibility to advocate for and amplify the voices of underrepresented patients I serve because of this feeling of community. I hope little Black boys and girls can see representation through the Black physician in my artwork, and know that there is a community of Black doctors who will nurture, mentor, and care for them—that it is possible for them to become doctors, too.