S2E15: I Woke Up Like This... On Purpose: Black Men, Medicine and Mental Health with Dr. Russell Ledet

Couched in Color

In this episode, we invite medical expert and cancer scientist, Dr. Russell Ledet to discuss his life’s work and the moments leading up to his achievements as a Black man in the field of academic medicine. Tune in as Dr. Alfiee and Dr. Ledet discuss the countless systemic issues that Black students face in the academic space and how they navigate and overcome these hurdles through the support of sponsors and, more importantly, knowing their worth. Dr. Ledet also opens up about the most vulnerable yet pivotal moments in his life and the biggest epiphanies that they brought him. This is an episode you do not want to miss - tune in now and join the conversation!

KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• The inspiration behind The 15 White Coats.
• The costs of being Black in the academic and medicine space.
• Systemic issues faced by Black graduate students.
• The importance of showing up as a disruptor or sponsor for the Black community.
• The story and process behind Bootless.

QUOTABLES:

“I always say that we don’t need more Black people in medicine, we need more Black people in medicine who are worried about Black people.”

“Younger people need to see that who you are, and the fullness of who you are, there is a space for you in this thing called science, in this thing called medicine, in this thing called medical school or graduate school or any professional school because they don't have a lock on brilliance.”

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

Follow Dr. Russell Ledet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrussellledet/?hl=en

Visit The 15 White Coats website at https://www.the15whitecoats.org/

Follow The 15 White Coats on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the15whitecoats/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the15whitecoats/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/the15whitecoats?lang=en

Personal perspectives: bootless - read it here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-020-00720-y

Like what you're hearing? Follow Dr. Alfiee on social media and show some love!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee/

Visit Dr. Alfiee's website at https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here: https://aakomaproject.org/

Couched in Color is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at www.instapodcasts.com)