According to recent figures, there are only 500 Black Hematologist/Oncologist in America. If you've listened to the show before, you know that our most powerful tool to Curing The Culture is more Black healthcare providers in EVERY aspect of healthcare. This week we are discussing an important topic, Multiple Myeloma - a rare type of cancer that develops in "white blood cells called a plasma cells. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications. To discuss this topic, I am interviewing  Hematologist / Oncologist. Dr. Daphanie D. Taylor. In this conversation, we discuss her career and 14 year journey in medicine, the shortage of Black Hematologists/Oncologist, and everything about Multiple Myeloma from symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. We hope that this podcast episode provides insight into the disease that black people are 2 x's more likely to develop and helps to dispel any myths you may have heard.

Key Takeaways:

• [00:00:33] Get to know Daphanie D. Taylor, Hematologist/Oncologist and Dallas Native 
• [00:02:03] Dr. Taylor was born into a family of healthcare providers. Still, a traumatic event led her to become a physician - Listen as she shares her journey into medicine. 
• [00:07:31] It's no secret that we need more black physicians like Dr. Taylor. Join us in this informative discussion about medical residency, fellowship, and managing the stress of becoming a doctor. 
• [00:19:09] Forget Ciara's Prayer - Dr. Taylor shares a prayer that every physician of color should use to find their ideal working environment 
• [00:21:12] A quick look into how insurance impacts your standard of care and tips to working with your physician to cut through the red tape. 
• [00:23:39] A "Short" story about the beauty of caring for patients - You're sure to fall in love with this one. 
• [00:26:54] The politics of healthcare for a southern black physician and how to overcome it to provide outstanding care for your patients.
• [00:33:21] What is Multiple Myeloma from diagnosis to treatment? Dr. Taylor breaks down the complicated terminology, testing, and stages.
• [00:39:12] The levels of Multiple Myeloma explained straightforwardly - listen as Dr. Taylor discusses this illness's stages, impact on other organs, and how physicians create specific care plans.

Resources: 

1. Medical Apartheid, by Harriet Washington 

Want to know how you can get involved and help Cure The Culture, email us with questions, comments, and send us future show ideas, we’re always listening!