APS to Sponsor Screening of ‘Black Men in White Coats’ Documentary

APS President Jennifer Pollock, PhD, FAPS, FAHA, will deliver welcome address to attendees

Rockville, Md. (June 28, 2021)—The American Physiological Society (APS) is pleased to sponsor an early screening of the documentary “Black Men in White Coats” (BMWC), in partnership with the Network of Minority Health Research Investigators (NMRI). APS members can register to view the movie (until June 30, 2021) and attend a subsequent panel discussion to be held on June 30, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. APS President Jennifer Pollock, PhD, FAPS, FAHA, will deliver the welcome address before the screening.

The goal of BMWC is to significantly increase the number of Black men in the practice of medicine through “exposure, inspiration and mentoring.” The documentary’s creators partnered with medical schools nationwide to develop the film and bring awareness to the disproportionately low number of Black medical doctors. The documentary features interviews with Black doctors from a wide array of medical disciplines.  

The distinguished panelists include moderator Rudy Ortiz, PhD, FAPS; Evangeline Motley-Johnson, PhD; Gregory Florant, PhD; and Leon McDougle, MD, PhD. A second session will be moderated by Patricia Heyn, PhD, and features a conversation with the film’s executive producer Dale Okorodudu, MD.

“APS has a longstanding commitment to boost diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM, so I am thrilled to bring this thought-provoking content to our members and deliver the welcome remarks,” Pollock said. “The screening and panel discussion are great opportunities to inspire the next generation of Black physiologists.”

Registration for this event is required and limited, with priority given to APS and NMRI members. To watch the film and attend the panel discussion, contact Winnie Martinez at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: For more information or to schedule an interview with organizers or participants in the screening, please contact the APS Media Relations or call 301.634.7314. Find more research highlights in our Newsroom.

Physiology is a broad area of scientific inquiry that focuses on how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. The American Physiological Society connects a global, multidisciplinary community of more than 10,000 biomedical scientists and educators as part of its mission to advance scientific discovery, understand life and improve health. The Society drives collaboration and spotlights scientific discoveries through its 16 scholarly journals and programming that support researchers and educators in their work.