Working to diversify doctors of today

July 24, 2008

The American Medical Association of today recognizes that words alone do not remove the stain of past discrimination but they can help promote healing and propel us forward in our efforts to close the racial divide in health care ("Honor the oath," editorial, July 13).

The AMA of today has no place for discrimination and welcomes all physicians. Through our Minority Affairs Consortium, we work to address the specific needs of minority physicians and increase efforts to train more minority physicians.

We also encourage minority students to consider careers in medicine through the "Doctors Back to School" program, which arranges for physicians to visit schools.

In partnership with the National Medical Association and the National Hispanic Medical Association, we also founded the Commission to End Health Care Disparities, which is working to eliminate all prejudice in health care.

We remain committed to eliminating health care disparities, increasing diversity in the physician population and improving our relationship with minority physicians.

Dr. Ronald M. Davis

Chicago

The writer is a former president of the American Medical Association.

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