Can Having Role Models Produce More Minority Doctors?

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Eight of Melissa Cornett’s 10 children want to be doctors.

The oldest, at 29, hopes to become a family physician; the youngest, who’s “almost 9,” wants to be an ER doctor.

Although they all have endured the typical bumps, bruises, and medical crises of childhood, they’ve only ever met two doctors who were black, like them.