I’m currently a second year medical student at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University. LKSOM is located in North Philadelphia where a majority of the residents are black or Hispanic and suffer greatly from the disparities presented to them on a national, state, and local level. Simply taking the bus 4 route through Philadelphia, the change in the environment is stark and indicates profound disparity in opportunities, infrastructure and resources allocated to those in the different zones of the city. When I interviewed at LKSOM, seeing the difference was palpable, discouraging, but I also realized how much I could learn from working here.
After enrolling, I learned about 85% of the patient population at Temple University Hospital rely on Medicare and/or Medicaid, which don’t reimburse the full price of procedures. In addition, most of the Philadelphia teaching hospitals fight for privately insured patients in wealthier neighborhoods. This
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I want to participate in efforts to end the days people refuse to seek care in fear of taking loans or ruining their credit score because they have to declare bankruptcy. Health is a basic human right and Americans shouldn’t have to decide between seeking medical help or supporting themselves. In order to make effective contribution to improving healthcare, I will need to learn as much as I can from my colleagues, professors, patients, and school administration. The school dean, Larry Kaiser, has been instrumental in the financial transformation of Temple University Hospital, turning a fiscal deficit into surplus. Dr. Kaiser has a heart to advocate for those who may not have the resources or time, and I want to practice that philosophy. There is always be work to be done, but I hope the lessons learned will guide me to an office where I can make informed and lasting