Racism in Medicine

I recently came across a really interesting Newsweek article.  It tells the story of Dr. Mana Kasongo (pictured on the left) and her journey as a doctor and the racism that exists in her field.  It was surprising to read that Dr. Kasongo had been not taken seriously throughout her career for being African American.  She says even some of her African American patients are confused upon hearing that she is an M.D. and not a nurse.  


Dr. Kasongo tells about a time when she used her skills as a doctor to help her friend:


" I was having dinner at an upscale hotel in Las Vegas with a friend, when she started choking on a piece of food. As she flailed her arms in obvious distress, frantic cries of "Is there a doctor in the room?" rang out from nearby tables. I assured everyone that I was a doctor and administered the Heimlich maneuver successfully. Even as my friend regained her bearings, people at the surrounding tables kept screaming for a physician. Once the "real doctors"--two white males--came to the table and saw that her airway was clear, they told the staff that it appeared that I was in fact a doctor and that my friend was going to be fine."


This story shocked me.  It is clear that racism still exists in America today, but I did not realize that it was still so strong.  Even African American patients do not believe that there can be an African American doctor.  


What are your reactions to Dr. Kasongo's story?  What does this story say about America's progression?