“We are going to produce internists and IM sub specialists here that don’t have to apologize to anyone, anywhere.*”
(*modified from a statement that Dr Charles Drew used to make about surgeons when he was Chair
@HowardUGenSurg
)
@HowardU
#Legacy
#BlackHistoryMonth
With the heaviest of hearts I announce that my son, Quinn Capers, V passed away Tues night at the age of 29. Quinn had severe cerebral palsy and lifelong respiratory issues. His passing was peaceful. So many of you have reached out and we appreciate all of the love & prayers.
To little Black boys who: attend under-resourced schools, eat free lunch, R growing up w single parent, have buddies who tease U because U like to read, R surrounded by low expectations & STILL have the audacity to want to be a Dr:
THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR U
#BlackMenInMedicine
Dear Black & Brown people: I know about the poor treatment that our ancestors have received by the health care system. I lecture about it to Med students. I also know the science about the
#COVID
vaccine. I do this for me, my family, & you.
#BlackMenInMedicine
#RightToBareArms
Progress notes used to be written for the Dr that was going to see your pts after you.
Then, they were written for lawyers.
Now, they are written for 3rd party payers.
Can we please get back to notes that describe what the Doctor is thinking?
(Thanks for letting me vent …)
Many years ago, in Organic Chemistry lab
@HowardU
I was lucky enough to sit across the table from the prettiest girl on campus. I’m a shy dude, so it took me a whole semester to shoot my shot. & it changed my life for the better.
#HappyAnniversary
to the love of my life.
#Wifey
#Thread
A family member of mine in a small, Southern town just called to say that they were having chest discomfort, saw a cardiologist, had a stress test, were told that the test was abnormal, and now the Dr. wants to do a heart cath. Their question for me: "Nephew, are they
Momma!!
This woman carried mail for
@USPS
for 30 years raising me and my sister, working double shifts and OT whenever she could. When, at age 3, I said "I want to be a Doctor" she said, "You take care of the book work, I'll take care of everything else." Love you, Mom!❤️❤️
have not heard of that historical event; their mistrust is based on their own, modern day experiences with the healthcare system. THIS is why we need more diversity in medicine. THIS is why we do what we do. THIS is our decades long call to action. END
Dear Friends: my family and I sincerely thank you for your thoughts, prayers & gifts re: the passing of my son, Quinn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to United Cerebral Palsy in honor of Quinn Capers, V. (, donate to UCP National.) ❤️🙏🏾
#BREAKING
Well, Twitter Fam: after a wonderful 13 years for which I am most grateful, I’ll be taking my talents to ...North Texas!
#BuckeyeNation
for life, though!
Looking forward to working with new Fam
@UTSWNews
(BTW, Where can you get a good Turkey burger 🍔 in Dallas)?
experimenting on me?" I tell them that this sequence of events sounds very logical and textbook good medicine. They are extremely relieved, and now will go through with the needed procedure. This is the reality of healthcare disparities and the impact of racism & bias (cont'd)
When I told my 4th GR teacher I wanted to be a Dr, she started calling me “Doc.” Even when taking roll. Made me feel 10 ft tall.
Planned to thank her after I became a Dr, but procrastinated too long 😔. I’m lifting her up now. Thank you, Ms. Sherer❤️
Who was your “Ms Sherer?”
So…the President of Harvard
@BrighamWomens
Hospital is a Black man. And the President of Yale Hospital is a Black man. The world just got a little brighter for Black boys & girls with big aspirations. (And anybody who’s ever been told they dream too big.)
#BlackMenInMedicine
Dear
@WSJ
: graduating Drs that understand anatomy, biochem, & medicine but are uninformed about the impact of bias and racism on health/healthcare will perpetuate a system that works well for the majority and poorly for marginalized communities.
Signed, Just About Everybody
-My 10th White Coat ceremony
-10th class admitted under my watch
-10 classes X 200 students/class =
2,000 Drs, practicing 30 yrs each, from sea 2 shining sea
-Not bad for a boy from Dayton who dreamt of making an impact
Excuse me while I have a moment...
#BlackMenInMedicine
Sr year at HU I would drag my girlfriend with me to eat lunch in the hospital cafeteria. Why? I was mesmerized by seeing Drs in their white coats, daydreaming that I would 1 day join their ranks.
We’re back.
Chair of Medicine &
#Wifey
That’s my
@HowardU
story. What’s yours?
@Loading_DrF
A teacher’s pride/swagger ought to come from their ability to transform a student who does not understand subject “X” into one who does. If the student didn’t understand before they met the teacher/prof and still don’t by end of course, the teacher is the one who “failed.” 😡
Front yard Graduation Ceremony.
Uh -Oh! You KNOW you are in trouble when me and baby girl break out the Robot!🤣
@HowardU
#FamilyTime
#BlackMenInMedicine
#Wellness
Don’t let the Pandemic steal your joy completely😀 Happy Sunday
in medicine. It results in a lack of trust. My loved one has not heard of the
#TuskegeeExperiment
. I say this because all too often we blame the mistrust of of the healthcare system that many minority communities feel on that one abomination. But many (cont'd)
To all women with MDs, Ed.Ds, PhDs, O.D.s, DVMs, PsyDs, Sci.Ds, DDSs, DPhils, DEngs, DrPHs, PharmDs, DSWs, DDs, DPTs, and others that escape me right now ...
Good Morning, Doctor!😀
@DrBiden
@UTSWNews
@OhioStateMed
We need more Black Docs in Sub-specialties
We need more Black Docs in Specialties
We need more Black Docs in primary care
We need more Black Docs
We need ...
We
“ Step 1 score ... an indication
of whether a student had highly
educated parents, attended well resourced schools, had exposure
to years of test preparation ... and
access to .... role models ...” Thx,
@NEJM
for letting me,
@QuentinYoumans
@UREssien
get something off our chest.
& we rack our brains looking for genetic reasons African Americans have so much high blood pressure, stroke, & heart attack. To live in an environment where this is excused is a 24-7 stress on your vasculature. We must teach this in Med school, and create physician-activists.
I first met Jemina Udeogu as a
#Premed
when she timidly asked “Will U be my mentor?” I mentored her thru
@OhioStateMed
, residency
@USFHealthMed
, ❤️ fellowship
@HowardU
, and back
@OSUWexMed
as the 1st Black and Woman Cardiac EP fellow. She’s taking her talents to Indianapolis.
Making History.
@ACCinTouch
’s 1st gathering of our IM mentees: the Women’s cohort, the Hispanic cohort, and the African American cohort. Our pledge: to provide quality mentoring to help make them competitive Cardiology applicants. We will change the
#FaceOfCardiology
!
#ACC22
When my team does “time out” prior to cath, I ask pt “Is your family here?” If “No,” I say “Well, WE are your family for the next 1-2 hrs!” They always smile. Just saw pt I cath’d 2 yrs ago. He told me how this touched him and how he told his wife the story over and over again.
Visited the ER 3 times w chest pain; discharged each time. Then he died in the parking lot. If 1 of the Drs shared his culture/background, might they have considered admitting for observation? This is what we fight w each lecture, each essay.
via
@KMOV
I'd like to publicly shout out Mrs Ruth Ethel Shere, 4th grade teacher at Wogaman Elementary School in Dayton, OH. After I told her I wanted to be a doctor, she referred to me as "Doc" everytime she saw me. EVERY TIME SHE SAW ME. Made me feel 10 feet tall. Thank you, Mrs. Shere.
"If a black male student has at least one black teacher in the third, fourth, or fifth grade, he is significantly less likely to drop out of high school and more likely to aspire to attend a four-year college."
#Pride
is ...
Rounding with Drs that you admitted to Med school. I read their
#AMCAS
essays, called their names at the White Coat Ceremony, watched them conquer gross anatomy as Med 1s. Now, we R fighting heart disease together! (L-R: PGY1 Med-Peds; PGY1 Neuro; PGY1 IM; PGY2 IM)
#ImplicitBias
What if these Med students left graduation, put on hoodies/jeans 4 comfort, took nap in common area of a dorm, sat in a coffee shop, played a round of golf, or carried luggage out of the AirBnB where they spent the night? Would U call the cops?
#BlackMeninMedicine
I am aware of this, disturbed by it, and actively working w/ colleagues to address/rebut this. My phone has been ringing off the hook &my email inbox is full, as it should be. The author's home institution is leading the way in reversing the damage. This will not go unchallenged
not the Journal of the American Heart Association publishing a studies that argues that "diversity doesn't save lives," and citing Student Doctor Network...
Wang paper retracted! Never doubt what grass roots organizing and passion for justice can achieve. Thanks to all the voices!✊🏾
Retraction to:
| Journal of the American Heart Association
“…you have been selected to the 2022 Office of Diversity and Inclusion Hall of Fame” …
is all I saw before I pushed back from my computer (EPIC notes can wait), and had myself a “moment.”
I am deeply humbled. Thank you,
@OhioState
. The work, of course, continues …✊🏾
#OnCall
This is a random occurrence. I repeat, this is an unplanned, unstaged random occurrence. The On Call team keeping the world safe from heart attacks
@Parkland
@UTSWNews
(L-R):
IC fellow; Gen Card Attending; IC attending; Gen card fellow. Rest Easy, Dallas… We’ve got you
#TipsForNewInterns
When the Nurse calls more than once to express concern about a pt, GO SEE THE PATIENT (WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE.) If the nurse’s hunch was wrong, you win. If the nurse’s hunch was right, you win.
Thank you,
@columbusmonthly
magazine for this awesome cover. My mom has already instructed me to get 2 copies for her, 1 for Dad, several for her friends, don’t forget aunties, uncles, cousins, & the ladies at church!🤣 This is quite an honor. I am blessed to be living my dream🙏🏾
Not sure I can smile big enough! Just informed by student council Prez and class Prez that I’ve been voted
c/o 2019’s “Professor of the Year!”
@OhioStateMed
!
I left private practice yrs ago to join academia because of my love of teaching. I am humbled. Truly. Thanks, c/o 2019!
I think I know that guy🤔.
Unveiling of the official “Professor of the Year” portrait that will hang on the wall
@OhioStateMed
from now on. What a truly humbling honor. Momma was in the audience, asked me later “are there copies?”🤣
#IfTheseWallsCouldTalk
#BlackMenInMedicine
3 Black Male Docs savingthe life of a heart attack pt on a Sunday afternoon. No, this is not
#Wakanda
.
#ThisIsOhioState
(L-R: Gen Cards fellow; Interventional Cardiology Attending; IC fellow)
#BlackMenInMedicine
It’s official. My transition from Associate Dean for Admissions to Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs is symbolized by moving the last trinkets from the old office to the new. I will miss
#Admissions
, but excited about new role helping recruit and develop faculty members.
#SundayMood
The next Black or Hispanic pt U see, ask “Do U plan to get the vaccine?” If “No,” ask “Why?” then listen. Don’t roll your eyes, don’t sigh, don’t suppress a giggle. Then tell them why YOU plan to get it. Finish w/ “You know, you can always change your mind.”
#BlackMenInMedicine
seeing BM in clinic this wk, added a ? to my usual list
-Have U had any chest discomfort?
-shortness of breath?
-extra/rapid heart beats?
-fainting?
-“Now, Black Man to Black Man ... are you OK?”
(Confession: I’m always running behind in clinic; but this was worth it.)
When her 3 year old told Julia Capers he wanted to be a Dr, she made a pact w him: “You take care of getting good grades, I’ll take care of everything else (food, clothing, shelter, tuition if needed.)” She kept her word. Now THAT’s some Black History for you😉
#BlackHistoryMonth
In clinic planned to nudge my post MI pt re: losing wt
Me: what’s new?
Pt: They we’re gonna foreclose on my House so I declared bankruptcy
& my sig other tried to commit suicide & my child is back on drugs. How’re you, Doc?
Me: *crumples up cardiac rehab rx
#SDOH
#ThisISMedicine
I’m baaa-aaack!
Hey, Tweeps! Back from Twitter jail, grateful to have my mic 🎤 back. Thank you for all of the support and concern and for all that reached out to me. All is well. Let’s go!
Imagine if the nation's unconscious bias didn't automatically associate Black men with danger. Imagine a nation that unconsciously associates Black men with ...physicians. That's the world
#BlackMenInMedicine
is trying to create. Join us.
@OhioStateMed
This morning I received this page from within
@OSUWexMed
. Many of my Tweets promote diversity and fighting against bias; I assume someone is unhappy with this content. I assume this was an attempt to intimidate. You REALLY must not know me. You have energized me. Thank you.✊🏾
A White man opens fire on a parade, kills 7 people, & well-trained officers subdue him without firing a shot.
#HighlandParkParade
A Black man flees from a traffic stop, "maybe" fired a gun once, runs on foot, and he is shot 60 times.
#AkronPD
That's the tweet. Prayers for all
Re: the
@JAHA_AHA
paper:
1. Editor in chief has apologized
2. The apology is good, but not enough
3. Diversity does improve care and save lives
4. Asians need to speak out against anti Black racism
5. Blacks need to speak out against anti Asian racism
5. MORE TO COME. Stay tuned
Heart disease is in trouble!
Over 80 Black IM residents on the 1st ACC IM-Cardiology pipeline program. (Also in the works, programs for Hispanics and Women).
We pledge to nurture these young Drs. all the way to fellowship and beyond. Heart disease will have no place to hide!😉
Back from a brief Twitter break. As protests spill into the streets of many cities, including my own, I am proud of my colleagues who understand that our duty is not just to heal the pt in front of us, but to heal society. Use the pen, the pulpit, & your presence.
#GeorgeFloyd
#SupremeCourt
#AffirmativeAction
THREAD 1/
Emerged from along day in cath lab with a heavy heart.
After US Colleges and universities used race to keep people of color out of college (and locked out of the American dream) for more than 200 years, and half-heartedly attempted
File this under “Epic.”
Over 100 Women IM residents who aspire to be cardiologists on a call with some of the nation’s foremost women cardiologists. Courtesy of
@ACCinTouch
’s
#Diversity
Committee. Only 13% of cardiologists are women. But the future is bright. Join us!
#Premeds
:
If your undergrad GPA does not represent your potential (for whatever reason) and you want to show admissions committees that you CAN handle academic rigors of med school, you have several options to do so. In decreasing order of effectiveness ...
#LastDay
It’s finally here, last official day at work
@OhioStateMed
. Of course, had to end it in the cath lab.
Farewell, Alma Mater.
I’ll see you down the road!
“O-H ...!”
Only 5% of Cardiologists are Hispanic. For our specialty to reach its full potential to save lives and end suffering, we need more Hispanic heart Docs!
@ACCinTouch
is proud to launch a Mentoring/Pipeline program for Hispanic IM residents. Apply Now!
13% of Interventional Cardiologists are women. We need More.
My Interventional Cardiology Bros,
Please take this friendly challenge to invite a young trainee to the cath lab & show her how welcoming and exciting our specialty can be, take photo & post
#TakeAWomanToTheCathLab
Mentored this young man since a few years before he entered
@OhioStateMed
. Now he’s Dr McIntyre, headed to
@bcmhouston
in Emergency Medicine. These request are so special. And of course, the answer is YES (in all caps!)
#BlackMenInMedicine
#mentoring
✊🏾
Minnesota is burning, the STEMIs keep coming. Been a hard week to be a Black man in America. Upon entering the cath lab, colleagues asked how I was doing. We talked. Sincerely. Then, my multi-racial team & I rolled up our sleeves and tx'd a heart attack pt.
#BlackMenInMedicine
When a Dr that you recruited into med school, that shadowed you on STEMI call as a Med 1, & that you have mentored ever since texts you to let you know she just did her first cath as a cardiology fellow
@dukemedicine
, the feeling is PRICELESS!
#mentoring
#TakeAWomanToTheCathLab
On call this weekend.
My daughters: “WE want to take you to dinner and a movie!”
Me: 😀
Had a wonderful dinner. When the check came, they just smiled... I paid.
Then we go to the movie. At the window, they just smiled ... I paid.
So glad they took me to dinner and a movie🤣
Wifey is out of town. I (sometimes) clean thoroughly so she comes home to a clean house. Yesterday she said she was coming back today. I stayed up late last night cleaning. She texted today to say “Psych! My flight is Thursday. Now, isn’t it nice having a clean house?🤣”
Me: 😡
Using stents to open blocked arteries in heart attack patients is the most enjoyable thing I do professionally. But if the pt returns to the same disadvantaged neighborhood, their mortality is high. We need to figure out a way to treat the pt AND the community. Who's with me?
New studies find that social determinants, such as living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, increases the risk of death in Black patients after being discharged for an acute MI.
@DrQuinnCapers4
discusses with
@TCTMD
.
Unsolicited advice: Get yourself some daughters! You’ll thank me later*
*they can be expensive. And they sometimes think you don’t know anything. And other times they think you’re a genius. And sometimes they get really upset & you’re clueless as to why. But they are worth it.
We are so excited to announce the Dr. Quinn Capers IV Award for Outstanding Resident Advocate in Diversity and Inclusion to be presented at our end of the year banquet. Thank you
@DrQuinnCapers4
for your dedication, advocacy and serving as an inspiration for our residents!
Never underestimate the power of a kind word said at just the right time. Boarding a flight and this
@OhioStateMed
student came up to me, introduced herself and said “Thank you for all you’ve done for diverse medical students. Your impact here is long lasting.” Thank you, Rachael
My last job (in Ohio) ended November 30, my next job (in Texas) began on December 3rd of the same year. My app for clinical privileges at the Dallas VA was held up until I wrote a letter explaining my “gap in employment.” 🤦🏾♂️
Happy Anniversary to my College Sweetheart! Meeting you in Organic Chemistry Lab
@HowardU
_____ yrs ago altered my life for the better in so many ways. Love you, girl!❤️
In the last yr I’ve heard from several jr faculty offered
#DEI
positions. They are intrigued but skeptical. My advice: “if they are serious about
#DEI
there will be a budget & FTE release.” This ad bluntly states “No FTE will be provided.” C’mon
#AMCs
, we can & must do better. 🤦🏾♂️
#Premeds
Ladies: there is a shortage of women in Cardiology, especially Interventional Cardiology. Want to fight the # 1 killer in the USA? Consider Cardiology. Wanna shadow in the cath lab early in your Med school career, like these ladies?
@OhioStateMed
, we’re waiting for you!
Good morning to all “on mission” today. Too much heart disease, injustice, & oppression in the world. My pledge is to fight all 3 with whoever wants to team up. Let’s get after it. ✊🏾 Who’s with me?
I’m proud of myself!
Just took a 1 hr walk with my kids and I LEFT MY CELL PHONE AT HOME...INTENTIONALLY!! So, no minute-by-minute updates on
#COVID19
, no email alerts from hospital... just birds chirping, a gentle breeze, and light conversation.
#Unplugged
#Wellness
#ACC24
Behold 400 aspiring cardiologists that identify as either Black, Hispanic, Native American, women, or LGBTQ: the most underrepresented groups in cardiology. Eliminating 🫀 disparities will require a diverse group of cardiologists.
@ACCinTouch
@ABCardio1
@AHAScience
#ProudPapaAlert
Fam: my daughter’s art work “1 Man, 2 Wars” depicts a Black physician being crushed by
#COVID
on 1 hand, Racism exemplified by Police Brutality on the other, but fighting back. It graces the Dec cover of
@AcadMedJournal
with accompanying essay inside. ❤️✊🏾
#GirlDad
To my fellow Black people, please be vocal about speaking out against Asian Hate.
To my Asian friends and colleagues, please be vocal about speaking out against anti-Black racism.
That's the tweet!
#TogetherStronger
#AAPIHeritageMonth
#BlackMenInMedicine
To all little Black boys (and anybody) aspiring to become a doctor, and maybe someday getting a personal call from the President-Elect congratulating you on your work ... it can happen! Ask
@Cleavon_MD
!
We are thankful to Dr. Gilman and all the inspiring frontline workers who risk their lives to protect us during this pandemic.
We promise you this: You have a partner in the Biden-Harris administration.
Our
#admissions
office got request from dorm to put on Q and A re applying to Med school. We rolled in like this. Dorm RA: "is this a sports team?"
Me: "No. We're the Doctors/Med students."
Dorm RA: "............OHHH!"
#BlackMenInMedicine
#ChangeTheNarrative
Thread
1/ How
#ImplicitBias
works: I was raised by a Black woman, grew up around them, played with them, learned from them, dated them, married one of them, and raised 2 of them. So now, when I see one, my brain unconsciously associates them with intelligence, beauty, positivity.
Being a doctor is a dream come true; a prayer answered.
Helping others achieve their dream of becoming a physician or cardiologist makes my soul happy (can you tell?😉)
It is, in short,
#ALoveSupreme
🎶
#StayOnMission
✊🏾
Sigh. My aspiring actress is leaving for NYC this morning. I’m kinda sad (because I’ll miss her.)😐 And worried 😟. And nervous 😬. And excited for her 😀. Please send good vibes.
Leaving hospital at 10:30 last night (on call this weekend) and ran into this Med 4. She was beaming telling me about her experience on OB/GYN. I am posting this to inspire all women Premeds. Want to do something you love this much? We're waiting for your application...
For whoever needs to hear this today:
The time to be angry is when you didn’t do all you possibly could. If you did your very best, used God’s gift to the fullest extent, “took it to the bridge” as old school musicians say, then
Relax.
It’s ultimately going to be OK.
Walking from the cath lab ran into 2 1st yr Med students
Me: “whatcha studying?”
Them: “G-proteins”
Me: (teasing) “what’chou know about G-proteins?”
Them: “They are a family of transmembrane proteins involved in signaling for many stimuli. They R trimeric, and...”
Me: (Smiling)