Dr. Ashley N. Denmark is striving for more diversity in the field of Medicine. As the Founder of Project Diversify Medicine, Dr. Denmark virtually oversees more than 37,000 future minority doctors whose goal it is to provide quality healthcare to our communities. The Ferguson, MO native is not only a doctor, but a wife, mother, and author. Her children’s book, Olivia’s Doctor Adventures, is S. T. E. M. focused and teaches kids about many different types of doctors ranging from cardiologists to pharmacists and all in between. Dr. Denmark believes that factors such as socioeconomic status and lack of access to quality healthcare place many people at risk when it comes to their health. It is her goal to raise awareness and the standards of healthcare in our communities, while providing diversity in competent and exceptional healthcare to all who need it.
FWM: Dr. Denmark, it is my great pleasure to interview you. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Dr. AND: I am a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician, Founder of Project Diversify Medicine, Mom to three little people: Olivia, Ethan, and Vivian, and wife to my college sweetheart, Anthony. My passion work involves advocating and injecting diversity into the medical field by teaching minorities how to become doctors.
FWM: Share your thoughts regarding the plight of women and minorities when it comes to quality healthcare?
Dr. AND: Honestly, as a black woman who has been on both sides of medicine, the healthcare system is severely flawed as treatment and outcomes vary depending on gender and race far too often. The stories that have flooded our social media feeds from Serena Williams to Sha-Asia Washington reminds us of the inequity that runs deep in the medical field for women of color. There are not enough tools/safeguards in place to help us navigate the medical field safely. Even as a 4th-year medical student, my concerns about developing pre-eclampsia during my second pregnancy were dismissed. It was not until I had to be admitted to the hospital with a blood pressure of 200/100 were my concerns taken seriously. These stories are commonplace for women of color, and this further strengthens the argument that more culturally competent doctors are needed to change this narrative.
FWM: Please tell us about Project Diversify Medicine.
Dr. AND: Project Diversify Medicine is a virtual village of 46k black and brown current and future doctors and has become the intersection for culture and medicine. Currently, only 2% of physicians are black women. Our goal is to provide inspiration, visual imagery, and educational resources to make the pre-med process more transparent and easier to navigate. The culture inspires most of our content/resources, so many times, you will find us quoting Beyoncé lyrics with information about applying to medical school.
FWM: What are the three things we can do right now to prioritize our health?
Dr. AND: First, understand what healthy living looks like for you. You don’t have to be vegan to be healthy if you enjoy meat—healthy means eating well-balanced meals that you like coupled 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Secondly, find a doctor; this is a must for everyone. Not having a doctor in a pandemic is like going to the store without money. Covid19 does not discriminate and can affect anyone. You need a doctor you can call on if you get sick. It is not ideal to rely on urgent care/ED as Covid19 can have lasting complications, and you need a doctor who can track your recovery. Last, know your health numbers. This key to limiting risk for Covid19 complications. Covid19 has a higher risk of mortality if you have hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and lung you need to understand what your blood pressure or blood sugar numbers are to make sure you are in control to lessen the chance of mortality from Covid19.
FWM: As the author of the children’s book, Olivia’s Doctor Adventures, what do you want children to see through Olivia’s eyes?
Dr. AND: I want children everywhere, regardless of race, gender, or zip code, to know that they can become doctors. Too many children, especially minority children, are not given a chance to explore the possibilities in medicine. With Olivia’s Doctor Adventures, children and their parents can learn about the different doctors in the field, from neurosurgeon to anesthesiology, and start the conversations about careers in the medical fields.
FWM: As a “Vintage Diva”, what are three pieces that need to be in every woman’s closet this Fall?
Dr. AND: Black leggings, mustard blazer and red peacoat are a must!!! Just ordered mine last week!
FWM: How can our readers connect with you outside of this interview?
Dr. AND: Follow me at @DrAshleyDenmark and @ProjectDiversifyMedicine
Photos courtesy of Dr. Ashley N. Denmark.
