Legacy

A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine

De: Uché Blackstock MD

Narrado por: Uché Blackstock MD

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

ONE OF TIME’S 100 MOST INFLUENTUAL PEOPLE IN GLOBAL HEALTH

“This book is more than a memoir—it also serves as a call to action to create a more equitable healthcare system for patients of color, particularly Black women.” —Essence

One of NPR’s 11 Books to Look Forward to in 2024

One of Good Morning America’s 15 New Books to Read for the New Year

“Legacy is both a compelling memoir and an edifying analysis of the inequities in the way we deliver healthcare in America. Uché Blackstock is a force of nature.” —Abraham Verghese, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Covenant of Water

“[An] extraordinary family story.” —Dr. Damon Tweedy, The New York Times Book Review

“This book should be required reading for all medical students.” —Gayle King, CBS Mornings

The rousing, captivating story of a Black physician, her career in medicine, and the deep inequities that still exist in the U.S. healthcare system

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, it never occurred to Uché Blackstock and her twin sister, Oni, that they would be anything but physicians. In the 1980s, their mother headed an organization of Black women physicians, and for years the girls watched these fiercely intelligent women in white coats tend to their patients and neighbors, host community health fairs, cure ills, and save lives.

What Dr. Uché Blackstock did not understand as a child—or learn about at Harvard Medical School, where she and her sister had followed in their mother’s footsteps, making them the first Black mother-daughter legacies from the school—were the profound and long-standing systemic inequities that mean just 2 percent of all U.S. physicians today are Black women; the racist practices and policies that ensure Black Americans have far worse health outcomes than any other group in the country; and the flawed system that endangers the well-being of communities like theirs. As an ER physician, and later as a professor in academic medicine, Dr. Blackstock became profoundly aware of the systemic barriers that Black patients and physicians continue to face.

Legacy is a journey through the critical intersection of racism and healthcare. At once a searing indictment of our healthcare system, a generational family memoir, and a call to action, Legacy is Dr. Blackstock’s odyssey from child to medical student to practicing physician—to finally seizing her own power as a health equity advocate against the backdrop of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

More than I expected

I originally thought I'd be listening to a well thought out and intelligently written book from an academic and fact based perspective. I was correct. What I didn't expect however were the personal heartwarming and sometimes heart aching stories fluidly interwoven with eye opening statistics and historical facts that bind this story of Dr. Blackstock's life. Her perspectives are definitely catalyst for a much needed open conversation and audit of every institution although she focuses in only on her experience in the medical field. I hope it also inspires readers to commit to a serious introspective look at their own personal interactions and find ways to improve. Do the work to do better.

BRAVA!!

As a black female physician I can totally relate to Dr. Blackstock’s story. I just finished listening to her audio book version. I can only imagine her experiences at HMS and NYU. Her story telling made feel like I was with her during her always touching and sometimes harrowing experiences. The part about the family friend calling her mother’s name as she and her sister walked across the HMS stage gave me chills. Her mother is certainly smiling down with pride at “her babies”. I could go on and on, but simply put, I think this book should be required ready for ALL medical students, along with Medical Apartheid. Great job telling your/our story Dr. Blackstock!!

Passionate, Loving and Real

The author’s passion and commitment to her profession but most importantly her love for humanity is beautiful! During the course of listening to this book I too stop and cry; taking deep breaths because of the reality for what is being described. As a recently retired, Caribbean / American and mother of a daughter who’s preparing for the MCAT. I wanted to rush to my daughter and beg her not to enter the medical field. I’m glad I didn’t because at the end of this book I know there’s hope for our population because of Dr. Blackstock and others like her. And one day, hopefully including my daughter and her friends. Needless to state, my daughter and her friends WILL BE GIFTED THIS BOOK AS REQUIRED READING!

Impactful

Very insightful. I am a nurse educator and this book has impacted me. This will definitely be shared with my nursing students

Health care disparities.

Great insights and lived experiences. Good reading performance by the author, but not the best I've heard.

loved the entire thing!

This is such a thoughtful book. From start to finish it is a learning experience and a truth telling exhibition. For many it may be the first time they learn about several public health implications. I'm greatful for Dr. Blackstone's vulnerability and call for accountability on all levels.

What an amazing book!

An eloquently written book. I believe this is a must read, for everyone from high school students to adults. As a Black woman I relate to so much in this book, and appreciate you for writing it. Thank you!

Captivating and personal...

You know that feeling you get from the overwhelming amount and quality of history, culture and affirmation communicated through what appears as a simple nod to most other folks when you pass another person of color in white spaces. That's what I felt throughout the pages of this book. Thank-you Dr. Blackstock. Your journey is touching many more lives than I believe you realize.

Compelling storytelling.

This book should be read by all pre med students. This author’s experiences are similar to many minorities in medicine, hearing this perspective may help a future doctor (one would hope). Great read.

Feeling her pain through the same health care experience

As a NP and Latina I was able to relate so much to the author of this book! Thank you so much for writing it and presenting the view of the patient and the healthcare provider of color!