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Often, we hear the familiar story of patients delaying or avoiding doctor visits because they can’t afford the high cost of medical care. Morehouse School of Medicine MD-1 student Monepha England-Rasheed aims to change that narrative by offering her services pro-bono to those who feel uncomfortable seeking care due to financial limitations.

With her experience as a Patient Access Representative at Grady Memorial Hospital, England-Rasheed understands the critical importance of bridging the gap between healthcare professionals and patients.

“People felt comfortable talking to me, so a lot of people would just express their feelings. I got a chance to meet a lot of different people and learn so much that I honestly feel really comfortable talking to patients,” England-Rasheed recalls of her time at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Building a healthy rapport between healthcare professionals and patients is essential, as it fosters the trust necessary for delivering quality care. England-Rasheed has seen firsthand the consequences of a lack of trust, which seldom leads to positive outcomes.

According to an article published by WebMD, many individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups distrust the medical community. Black and Hispanic populations, particularly those with less education, lower income, or no health insurance, tend to have less trust in their healthcare providers than their white counterparts.

“After my grandmother died, I had seen paperwork of her going to the doctor and she’s never told us half of the things that were going on. The distrust she had in the system, the distrust she had to tell us that something was happening to her. That’s stuff that nobody really talks about,” England-Rasheed reflects.

For England-Rasheed, Convocation represents a pivotal step in her healthcare journey, marking a personal milestone. Not only will she be the first in her family to become a doctor, but also the first to pursue higher education.

“Convocation just feels like the next step and just, ‘I made it.’ I’m here, and I’m not gonna let nothing stop that.”

Join us virtually this Friday, September 20^th at 10am as Monepha England-Rasheed and her fellow MD-1 students receive their white coats at Morehouse School of Medicine’s 40^th Convocation & White Coat and Pinning Ceremony!

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Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
mamartin@msm.edu