Black History Month | Emory School of Medicine

2024 Features

Zoom Backgrounds

For each Affinity Month, we have made Zoom backgrounds for use by affinity group members and allies during their respective affinity month. Zoom backgrounds for Black History Month are available to download from Sharepoint with the link below.

In an effort to acknowledge the diversity of our community, the Office of Equity and Inclusion launched a celebratory initiative to promote sharing, awareness, and learning. Here, we recognize and celebrate our faculty and staff by hearing their stories and experiences.

Amber Allred Department of Anesthesiology

"I take the opportunity daily to be an advocate"

Growing up as a black kid on the southwest side of Atlanta it was always my dream to become a physician. I was blessed to have the opportunity to participate in science fairs and summer programs aimed at minority students interested in healthcare. The dream intensified after I was accepted to Emory University for my undergraduate studies. I quickly joined premed groups and shadowed at Grady Memorial Hospital to learn everything I could about the profession. As I walked past Emory University Hospital to go to class everyday my goal was to one day work there.

Thru volunteering I was amazed and saddened at the wide gap of healthcare disparity in Atlanta. After college I pursed my MPH degree at Rollins School of Public Health to further understand healthcare systems and ways to improve access to care on a larger scale. In my gap year before medical school I joined the Atlanta Health Corps of Americorps working in a federally qualified health center. My aim was to increase health education and awareness among African American patients on various health topics such as cancer prevention, high blood pressure, and diabetes, with a small goal to help people become a champion for their own health.

As my career continues as an Anesthesiologist I take the opportunity daily to continue to be an advocate for my patients. I speak up for them when they are scared and spend a few extra minutes to help them feel empowered. I try to work with college and medical students to mentor them and encourage them in pursuit of their own goals. Thru mentorship and guidance from others I have been able to live out my dream and I hope to continue to help those behind me.

Morgan Dooley Gause Department of Anesthesiology

"She bequeathed to me a limitless curiosity for the world"

When my mother was hired in 1968, she became one of the first African-American flight attendants ever to fly for United Airlines. While remarkable on its own, I think that the scale of her achievement can only be fully appreciated in the context of her small-town origins (Washington, GA – population 3,754) as the daughter of a 13-year-old single mother. Her career spanned over four decades and during those years she gave me the invaluable gift of seeing the world. By the time of her passing – which coincided with the end of my medical training - I had already widely explored 6 continents, many with her by my side. This amazing woman, who grew up in the segregated South and was raised by domestic workers who would never possess a passport, was able to shatter boundaries despite having no formal education after high school. She bequeathed to me a limitless curiosity for the world, a deep respect for other cultures, and an innate belief in my own potential – irrespective of what statistics or society might have predicted for a little Black girl who graduated from the Atlanta Public School System.

I went on to become the first person in my immediate family to graduate from college (Emory ’03). A series of graduations followed thereafter - Rollins School of Public Health ’05, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine ’09, Stanford University School of Medicine ‘13 – in no small part due to the wanderlust and work ethic that my mother had instilled in me.

Now that I am a little (or a lot if I am being honest) older, and have the broader perspective granted by age and travel, I can testify to how singular an experience it was to grow up Black in Atlanta. There are few cities in this country, or the world for that matter, with a history as rich in civil rights and Black excellence across so many fields of endeavor as Atlanta, and that legacy of achievement has continued to present day. It has been one of the great joys of my life to come back home to live and practice medicine here. I frequently must remind myself what a unique gift it is to work at a hospital where so many of the doctors, nurses, and other team members look like and share the culture of our patient population. I like to think of how pleased my mother would be to receive care in such a special place, and how far we have come since 1968.

Kimberly Gullatt Department of Medicine

"Being part of a village that positively impacts others"

My sons, family, community, and life experiences have shaped my professional and personal journey. But the most rewarding aspect is being part of that village that positively impacts others. Being their cheerleader, sharing words of wisdom, and supporting them to start businesses, travel, apply for jobs, help them identify and pursue their passions and interests.

I have been lucky in life where others recognized and acknowledged my potential to achieve. Although unfortunately, I have turned down professional opportunities because of family commitments it was still good receiving the offer. Even now my mother’s mantra “when you set your mind to do something you get it done” rings in my ear when faced with challenges. Her and others’ beliefs in my abilities fuels my drive to work hard, stay focused, and persist even in the face of challenges or setbacks. I like to think that my applying these attributes and standards in my positions and to individuals shows my commitments to them are important and results in excellent customer service professionally.

Billy Holcombe Department of Pediatrics

"Do not pass me by..."

I am here because of the sacrifices of my parents, and their parents, and their parents, and all of their prayers. I am here because of countless professors and attendings who often saw things in me that I did not see in myself. I am here because trainees, patients, and colleagues who affirmed and reaffirmed that a “seat at the table” was meant for me. I am also here, filled with a rich southern heritage that is rooted in community and collectivism.

While still early in my career, it is my mission to provide trainees with the same assuredness. Thus, I developed a didactic series, and I was eventually promoted to clinical training director at a previous academic medical center. While resources were limited, I was also able to develop a trainee-led research initiative, which led to presentations at national conferences. Several trainees have since go on to attend graduate school, medical school, or medical residencies. I joined Emory a few years ago, but my commitment to trainee excellence and program development have not wavered. I intend to bring out the best in future trainees, and the only expectation is that they will pay it forward to incoming doctors. I am focused on legacy, and seeing and supporting others is key to my being.

Janelle Williams Holder Department of Family & Preventative Medicine

"My actions can positively impact lives"

My parents immigrated from the Caribbean for better educational opportunities for our family. My siblings and I are the first generation in our families to graduate from college. I am the first physician in my family.
In my early life, I knew I was interested in the medical field; however, I lacked mentorship. It is important for me now to serve as a mentor to those in my community. I visit and volunteer with local schools sharing my passion for medicine. I also serve as a mentor for medical trainees. I believe my actions can positively impact the lives of those interested in medical careers. I hope to continue to build a legacy where those that come after me feel supported and welcomed in the field of medicine.

Veda Johnson Department of Pediatrics

"'For whom much is given, much is required'"

I was raised by a single mother, surrounded by a deep support system, in a community of hard-working families. My mother has been my inspiration for as long as I can remember… hard-working, compassionate, intelligent, and generous. She embodied the concept of ‘for whom much is given much is required’. We often equate this statement with financial wealth; however, in my mother’s case, it reflected her faithfulness in managing her skills and knowledge to enhance the lives of those around her. She was an entrepreneur, a teacher, a missionary, and much more. She instilled many of those traits into each of her children. I received a heavy dose of compassion and servitude. As I now reflect on my current work, I realize that those are the traits that have framed my approach to the practice of medicine.

I love being a pediatrician and I take great joy in being able to create systems of care responsive to the needs of children in the context of family and community. I cherish all children, but my calling has been to those living in under resourced communities. Therefore, my life’s work has revolved around eliminating disparities and building health equity. For the past 30 years, I have labored toward that end. My current position as Director for PARTNERS in Equity for Child and Adolescent Health at Emory has allowed me to advance this work throughout the state and to continue a journey aimed at maximizing the potential for children through compassion and servitude.