Provider Feature: Dr. Jennifer M. Harley

Black History Month is an opportunity for us to highlight our Black providers who are making a difference in communities across New York City. We are deeply aware of the history of racism in medicine and the medical profession, and are committed to building a healthcare workforce that reflects the diverse communities that we serve and is sensitive to their needs.

This year's theme for Black History Month is "African Americans and the Arts," aimed to showcase the contributions Black Americans have made to American literature, performing and visual arts, and music.

This week, we asked Dr. Jennifer M. Harley, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases, Director of Endoscopy, and Fellowship Program Director for the GI Fellowship at New York Medical College, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. Read what Black History Month means to Dr. Harley.

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As Chief of the Division, I have an amazing opportunity to serve my community and provide cutting-edge medical care to the patients of East Harlem and beyond. I have been fortunate to have great leadership and support which allows our team expand our care to the surrounding boroughs. As Director of Endoscopy, the ability to bring the most advanced medical care to our patients excites me and our Endoscopy Unit is an industry leader with regard to safety and best practices. As GI Fellowship Program Director, I have the fortunate opportunity to shape the lives of the future gastroenterologist. This is one of my greatest joys: to see the world through their eyes and to share with them the art of medicine.

Black History Month has a very significant meaning to me. I am fortunate that I have been surrounded by great Black medical leaders throughout my career; I received my medical training at the Howard University College of Medicine. The role and responsibility of carrying on the legacy of this institution was instilled in each student from the first day. I was fortunate to have Dr. Sadye Curry as my mentor—the first African-American woman to become a gastroenterologist in the United States. She instilled in me the belief that all things are possible if you believe and work hard. For me, Black History Month is being a voice for future generations, to be the voice of the unheard and to strive to do my best.

My culture impacts my work everyday. I see the face of my family members in all the patients I care for. I hear stories from my patients about the South or spending time with their family in the islands over the holidays. I am reminded of my own family stories. I am honored that my patients want to share these precious memories with me. It reminds me why I am here at Metropolitan and how rewarding it is. As an African American and Latina woman, I am proud that my patients can see myself in them and vice versa. I have a tremendous opportunity for advocacy and I plan to use it well for our community.

"African American and the Arts" is a theme that is very near to me as I had a vast curriculum in humanities during my undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University. Along with my basic medical sciences studies and heavy premedical coursework I immersed myself greatly in the studies of the arts, from classical Spanish literature of Cervantes and Lorca to African Folklore and Dance.

There was one class that I remember vividly that woke my spirit. It was an African American Literature Course and the study of the works of Zora Neale Hurston. I knew of her work, but experiencing the live production of Their Eyes Were Watching God was magical. The artistry of her characters and the depth of their meaning was something I saw I could apply in all aspects of life. Each character had story to tell which was interwoven with the other characters.

This fabric of life mirrors real life such as the lives of our patients. When I think of medicine I think of the Art of Medicine. I think of the stories and lives of everyone I encounter and I hope I can be a positive chapter in their lives. I think of the future doctors that I am fortunate to train. I instill in them the responsibility that I was given many years ago by Dr. Sadye Curry and leave with them this quote to always remember to think inquisitively, question status quo and forge ahead a new path: