Prisma Health assembles 'Black Men and Women in White Coats' on hospital lawn

Prisma Health honored Black History Month by assembling 'Black Men and Women in White Coats' on the lawn of Richland Hospital and Greenville Memorial Hospital. Participants gathered together Wednesday to raise awareness and visibility of African American men and women in the medical field.

Levi Kirkland Society and African American Network (AAN) Business Resource Groups took part in the flagpole assemblies at both participating hospitals. Leaders from the Prisma Health Office of Diversity and Inclusion were also in attendance.

The 'Black Men and Women in White Coats' event paid homage to the contributions and achievements of people of African descent. All team members, physicians, medical students, faculty and staff were invited to attend.

According to Prisma Health, African American patients tend to trust, communicate and comply more with African American health care providers. The event was hosted to bring attention to the need for more diverse physicians in the workforce. Prisma Health said different research studies suggest that African American doctors can increase important healthcare communication with African American patients, which can help with health care compliance, leading to offsetting some negative health outcomes.

Visit prismahealth.org to find out more about Prisma Health, South Carolina's largest health system.