Legacy

A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine

By: Uché Blackstock MD

Narrated by: Uché Blackstock MD

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“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.

©2024 Uché Blackstock, MD (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Named one of the Top 13 Innovators Shaping The Future of Health by Fortune magazine

“Ultimately, Legacy’s greatest contribution is in bringing this extraordinary family story to light—as much a part of the American fabric as those of our default narratives of success.”—Dr. Damon Tweedy, The New York Times Book Review

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

“At once a memoir and an examination of the racism that plagues both patients and physicians.”—The New York Post

Important read!

Dr. Blackstock delivers a moving and powerful memoir. Beautiful tribute to her mother, the original Dr. Blackstock, but also a critical work of research and anecdotes highlighting the glaring racial disparity in the American healthcare system. Should be required reading for all health care workers and medical students!

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!

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.

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!

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!!

Honest Heart wrenching powerful

This is a historical first person account of life experience
Imagine this existence nationwide
I feel repulsed that this is the true experience of this intelligent woman. She could not have survived had she not have a solid base since birth. I wish her dad was mentioned. Absolutely compelling

African-American nurse

This information provided was not new, but the perspective resonated. as an African-American nurse, I often see the racism of decisions made for patients. This book allows me to know I’m not alone as a healthcare provider. Phenomenal read five stars.

Black nurses; we see these issues

Thank you Dr. Blackstock. Your book should be a must read for all health care professionals, along with the real history of medicine.

A Must Read

Everone in the medical profession should read this book. Black patients deserve the same care as all other patients. Our lives will ALWAYS matter. Dr. Blackstock shined a much needed light on this topic. What an important work! I commend her bravery for writing this very necessary book.