HOPE WHITE
“A lot of my appointments are with doctors I’ve known a long time. But if I’m referred to a different doctor, believe it or not, I pray before I go.”
A public health professional for over 30 years, Hope is a Community Engagement Director for MA-CEAL at Boston Medical Center and a lifelong community activist.
She was interviewed by Dana Brown, a member of Everyday Boston’s Bridge Project, and photographed by Jaypix Belmer.
A doctor risks Hope’s dream
Hope tells the story of how a doctor’s misleading recommendation changed the course of her life.
(6 min)
Hope’s tips for patients of color
Draft a list of questions for your appointments
Bring someone you trust to take notes
If your doctor isn’t listening to you, change doctors
Look at your health care provider as your partner
Hope’s advice for health care providers
“Remember that you're working with a person, and with that person comes a whole culture. A lot comes with that one individual that you may only meet one time, but interact with them as a person first and a patient second.
You don't know what that person has been through. You don't know the environment that that person lives in, good or bad. You just don't know. But connect to them as a person first and then connect to them as their doctor. So it's like a team.”