#WhiteCoatWednesday is BlackDoctor.org's new weekly feature where we highlight doctors who are making a difference in their community and around the world. This week, we feature Dr. Kevin Thomas.
Dr. Kevin Thomas, Cardiac Electrophysiologist and associate professor of medicine at Duke University Hospital. There are only 3 - 5% of cardiologists are African American, so Dr. Thomas is a rare gem who not only helps his patients live healthier and longer, he also inspires a new generation of physicians.
"I didn't know anyone who was doctors, I wasn't exposed to that growing up," says Dr. Thomas. "I was at Emory College and taking beginning taking early biology courses and I remember looking around to see what other people were majoring in who taking these courses. And by far, most of them were pre-med and I thought, 'Yeah, I can be a doctor.' That's where it all started."
"While I was a resident in 2001, I lost my mom unexpectedly," explains Dr. Thomas. "That was a very rough time in my life. It think that made me work harder. I hope to be an inspiration for people to say 'that guy came from the same humble beginnings I came from.'"
Dr. Thomas also has advice for those who want to be doctors as well.
"Keep true to your dream and your own heart. It's different for everyone."
For more doctors like this, click here.
