The Association for Academic Minority Physicians, Inc. (AAMP)

ASSOCIATION FOR ACADEMIC MINORITY PHYSICIANS STATEMENT

May 2022
 

Dear Colleagues and Friends,
 

For over two years our nation has been enmeshed in a confluence of several major catastrophes. The devastating impact of climate change across the country is now apparent to all but the most obtuse naysayers.  COVID-19 has killed over one million of us in the nation, more than the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918, and yet there are still those who say covid-19 is fake, a fraud- even as they die.   While in the midst of incomprehensible human and economic losses related to COVID, we are also observing increased fractionalization of our society and palpable concern for the viability of democracy as we know it in our country.  And yet, we hear some members of congress saying the January 6, 2021, insurrection was nothing more than tourists routinely visiting our capital.

 

COVID put a spotlight on well-known healthcare disparities in our country and  exposed our lack of preparedness and cohesive leadership to allow an optimal response to major challenges. COVID  has disproportionately  affected communities of color and those with limited financial and educational support. Contributors to the disparate impact of COVID in these groups include the high prevalence of underlying health conditions, poor access to healthcare, densely populated homes and neighborhoods, and overrepresentation among “essential” workers.  Analysis of these and other factors in the pandemic is essential to our honest understanding of disparities in health and health care.  
 

The AAMP was formed with the primary mission of helping to increase the number of underrepresented people in biomedical research, academic medicine and ultimately the national leadership. We call upon all of our colleagues and sister organizations that  care about the overall welfare of all people to join us to address, find and implement solutions for the health and social inequities that plague this country.  Working deliberately and actively together we can (1) advance leadership opportunities in biomedical research, academic medicine, and healthcare delivery; (2) increase opportunities and remove barriers to becoming health care professionals and practitioners -- particularly physicians; and (3) eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care.   

 

It has become obvious that to be successful in these goals, we as a nation must address “racism.”  After 400 years it is no longer acceptable to try to deny the racism that many of us face every day. It is no longer acceptable to express outrage and then move on to business as usual until the next outrageous event occurs. Racism will not disappear until it is as uncomfortable for those who are not personally affected as it is for those who are.  However, during these deeply troubling times, there may be a real opportunity to make progress to accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for addressing inequality and racial injustice as well as to accelerate greater diversity, inclusion, equity, improved healthcare access and outcomes in all of our communities. 

 

If we are to succeed, we must take on “structural racism” which permeates nearly all aspects of our society.  As pushback increases from many who credibly declare that they are not racist, it is critical to point out that decades of cultural divide have resulted in opinions, assumptions and actions that make many of our systems inherently racist. We may not have caused the situation, but we now own it, and we must fix it. It is virtually impossible to solve problems without knowledge. It is essential that folks must have that knowledge of the past in order to develop the cures for the future. It is time to push for effective dialog while the window is still open.

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             AAMP Member Elected to National Academy of Medicine
 

Esa M. Davis, M.D., P.P.H.

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Esa M. Davis, MD, PPH is one of 90 new U.S. members elected to the National Academy of Medicine (October 20, 2025).

Dr. Davis is a professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She is also Associate Vice President for Community Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Dr. Davis is recognized for her trailblazing work in advancing women’s health and health equity through epidemiological studies on maternal health disparities and her landmark clinical trials informing practice guidelines for improving obesity and diabetes-related maternal health outcomes.  Dr. Davis serves as the Lead Strategist for Health Equity at the University of Maryland Institute of Health Computing.

Election to the National Academy of Medicine is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health, medicine and biomedical  research, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

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