I wake up at 5 a.m. to get ready for another day to see my patients. The moment I step into the hospital, I put on my long white coat. Not because it’s a part of my uniform, but because if I don’t wear it, people won’t think this young female black woman is a doctor.
Patients are commonly surprised by my presence when I enter the room with my stethoscope. When I introduce myself as Dr. Robins, patients expect someone else and that the real doctor will be in after I leave. Some patients are excited to see me, others don’t know what to do with me, and there is even a group that would prefer for me not to be their doctor.
