Faces of Medicine

‘These stories spoke to my heart directly, as a woman who has been punished for being smart, underestimated, surmounted some barriers but not others, and who has had to do the work of social change around sexism, disability, and other kinds of inequity in addition to my own actual job - the "reach back and pull forward" also spoke to me very directly, and reminded me of the heart of the work.‘

‘Amherst Cinema had the great honor of hosting the world premier screening of Faces of Medicine, Episode 1. From the moment the program was announced, our film community responded with great enthusiasm. There is a strong appetite for stories of this caliber and kind—that challenge dominant narratives and offer an aspirational path forward. ‘

‘Faces of Medicine is an essential watch, deeply relevant, at times painful, but deeply necessary to view and ponder. I foolishly assumed that once a woman of color reaches a certain echelon of leadership then their critics and detractors are silenced and stand corrected. I reflected for days after viewing, and it inspired me to review all the women of color I had learned from, worked for and with, and who had cared for me in my family in a medical setting. Faces of Medicine reframed all my connections with the women leaders throughout my entire life, and what I gleaned from each of them. I felt amazement, frustration, awe, exasperation, inspiration all at once.‘

‘I felt very seen as a BIPOC woman who wants to go into medicine. There was some hurt since Black women have to go through so many things to get where they are. There is a sense of frustration, knowing that we have to go above and beyond. I saw myself when the doctors brought up people constantly telling them that getting into medical school is hard. I also had to deal with teachers not respecting me as an individual regardless of my achievements. I will approach going into medicine with a more positive mindset. I can think about the future generations of BIPOC girls who desire to see more of themselves in medical fields. Everything is much bigger than me and my feelings in the moment, but I can work for others to give them the chance to feel welcomed in these uncomfortable spaces.‘

‘Are you embarking on a journey of inspiration and empowerment on your campus? Amherst College hosted Faces of Medicine, the groundbreaking documentary that celebrates the extraordinary paths of Black female physicians in the United States. Hearing intimate interviews and hosting a live discussion with Dr. Ennis was an honor. If you want to champion diversity and cultivate and inspire the next generation this is one way to help your students see themselves reflected. Our students raised questions and reflections on the following themes: Inspiration, History, Representation, Equity, Access, and Action.‘