Our Statement on the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Robert R. Frank Student Run Free Clinic would like to take the time to acknowledge, and stand up against the racial injustice and violence present within this nation. We are outraged at the blatant brutalization and dehumanization served to BIPOC time and time again—most recently with the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Tony McDade, amongst countless others over the centuries of injustice.
Black lives do matter. Preventable death at the hands of racism is a public health issue. It is time that we, as medical students and physicians, acknowledge the effects of racial injustice upon the health of our patients and work actively to make positive change. We are, first and foremost, caretakers for the underserved community, and must act as advocates to help fight against systemic racism. We are here to stand beside our Black colleagues and patients in the Detroit community. As healthcare professionals, we are responsible to educate ourselves, our peers, and loved ones to dismantle effects of such injustice while amplifying the voices of the unheard. The responsibility to educate does not lie upon our Black colleagues, as it has for so long, but on us. We call upon all who do not identify as BIPOC to help support the Black community, take the time to understand the health effects of systemic racism, and become better providers for our patients.
What can you do to help? We have compiled a list of resources below— some specific to the Detroit community — of petitions, donation funds, and guides to the BLM movement. Support your local black-owned businesses. Send your local government and legislators emails. Take the time to register to vote. Although the elections are months away, we can change the viewpoints of our loved ones to ensure sustainable change. It is important for all of us to make our voice heard, especially in the face of racial bias and violence. This movement is not a trend, and as a clinic, we wish to make this message and our motivations beside our Black colleagues and patients clear for all.
Black lives do matter. Preventable death at the hands of racism is a public health issue. It is time that we, as medical students and physicians, acknowledge the effects of racial injustice upon the health of our patients and work actively to make positive change. We are, first and foremost, caretakers for the underserved community, and must act as advocates to help fight against systemic racism. We are here to stand beside our Black colleagues and patients in the Detroit community. As healthcare professionals, we are responsible to educate ourselves, our peers, and loved ones to dismantle effects of such injustice while amplifying the voices of the unheard. The responsibility to educate does not lie upon our Black colleagues, as it has for so long, but on us. We call upon all who do not identify as BIPOC to help support the Black community, take the time to understand the health effects of systemic racism, and become better providers for our patients.
What can you do to help? We have compiled a list of resources below— some specific to the Detroit community — of petitions, donation funds, and guides to the BLM movement. Support your local black-owned businesses. Send your local government and legislators emails. Take the time to register to vote. Although the elections are months away, we can change the viewpoints of our loved ones to ensure sustainable change. It is important for all of us to make our voice heard, especially in the face of racial bias and violence. This movement is not a trend, and as a clinic, we wish to make this message and our motivations beside our Black colleagues and patients clear for all.
COVID-19 Update
Due to the pandemic of the COVID-19 pandemic, we urge our patients to get vaccinated. If you are experiencing symptoms of the virus, please make sure to get tested at the local Detroit CCCN testing grounds by making an appointment at (313) 230-0505.
We have now transitioned back to in-person appointments with telemedicine still being an option. We plan to increase our telemedicine capacity in the fall.
We have now transitioned back to in-person appointments with telemedicine still being an option. We plan to increase our telemedicine capacity in the fall.