Student Podcast Seeks to Inspire Future Medical Professionals of Color
July 9, 2019
Alicia Williams's (DO '22, pictured right) podcast explores careers in medicine with
guests from across the healthcare industry, all of which are people of color. Seen
here with guest Magdala Chery, DO. Photograph taken by Cassandra Yeboah (DO '22) with
The CA Agency.
Since launching her Medicine in Color podcast in January 2019, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine student Alicia Williams (DO ’22) has embarked on a journey of connection and inspiration.
With a variety of guests from across the medical landscape, Ms. Williams has provided
for her listeners what she knows is valuable as an aspiring medical professional –
real examples of what a career in medicine can look like for men and women of color.
“I have always found it’s easiest for me to receive advice from someone I have a connection
with, someone that has accomplished what I am looking to accomplish,” she said. “The
goal of the podcast is for aspiring physicians to hear from people they can relate
to, people who can give guidance on what they would and wouldn’t do differently throughout
their career. I also hope to engage an audience who may not have thought medicine
was an option for them. Hearing these stories of people who have found their way to
medicine can inspire others to see this career path as a possibility.”
Even as demand for diversity increases, minorities are still widely underrepresented in the medical profession. A study
published in 2016 by researchers at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina
showed racial and ethnic minorities represent 30 percent of the total population but
only 11.5 percent of physicians, 11.2 percent of nurses and 10.1 percent of pharmacists
currently in practice in the US.
To date, Ms. Williams’ podcast has featured a variety of guests from across the field
of medicine. Guests include doctors, nurses, pharmacists and more, all of whom are
men and women of color. “I want my podcast to be far-reaching,” said Ms. Williams.
“I also want to utilize my platform as a networking tool. If I have a pharmacist on
the show and a listener reaches out to speak with them to learn more about pharmacy,
I am happy to connect the two.”
Since launching the podcast, Williams has captured a listening base of more than 1,800
and received special recognition when she was invited to host a live recording at
the 2019 Student National Medical Association’s (SNMA) Annual Medical Education Conference.
Still, maintaining a podcast while in medical school is no easy feat. “I have learned
to compartmentalize my responsibilities,” says Ms. Williams. “When it’s time to study,
it’s time to study. When it’s time to work on the podcast, it’s time to work on the
podcast. I am a one-woman show, so it’s important that I am strict with my schedule.
Having this structure is what allows me to get everything done.”
In addition to hosting and producing her own podcast, Ms. Williams is the current
PCOM DO Council President and in this role also serves as a member of the Pennsylvania
Osteopathic Medical Association’s (POMA) Board of Trustees and the American Association
of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine’s (AACOM) Council of Student Government Presidents
(COSGP).
She is also a member of the PCOM EMed Club and the Student National Medical Association
and for the past six months, has served on the Committee of Legislative Affairs with
the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Medical Student Section. She received her
bachelor of science in chemistry from Savannah State University.
You can listen to the Medicine in Color podcast on Stitcher, Apple and more.
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About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands
of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists
who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms.
PCOM operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic
medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and school psychology, and graduate degrees in
applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic
medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, non profit leadership
and population health management, organizational development and leadership, physician
assistant studies, school psychology, and public health management and administration.
PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service
to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care
to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For more information, contact:
Daniel McCunney
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304 | Cell:
267-449-1360