When a potential medical emergency unfolded on a Delta Air Lines flight from Detroit to Houston, Dr. Tamika Cross, and obstetrician-gynecologist, jumped to assist.
However, the response from one of the flight crew members shocked Cross, and has subsequently caused widespread social media reactions.
Cross said a man seated two rows in front of her became unresponsive and she offered to assist. However a crew member said to her her: “Oh no sweetie, put your hand down, we are looking for actual physicians.”
Cross recounted the episode on the flight on her Facebook page—her post has received over 38,000 shares in five days.
Cross, who is black, said when a white male doctor offered to help, he was welcomed without the same questioning and speculation that she faced.
The incident has served as the launching pad for #WhatADoctorLooksLike on Twitter. The hashtag and the social media outpouring has served as an outlet for many in the black medical community who have faced similiar experiences.
https://twitter.com/TaaraSultaana/status/786729680011300864
https://twitter.com/TaaraSultaana/status/786729680011300864
Black MDs/DOs make up 3% of US docs, but we respond, just like other MDs/DOs, when a person needs us.
I am (also)#whatadoctorlookslike pic.twitter.com/jWWSoM3NTG
— Keisha Bell (@KeishaBellMD) October 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/jfs_a/status/786889001785491457
https://twitter.com/DrKaneneUbesie/status/786668446465429504
Delta responded to one of the tweets on the subject, stating “discrimination of any kind is never acceptable,” adding that the company has been in contact with Dr. Cross.
Discrimination of any kind is never acceptable. We’ve been in contact with Dr. Cross and one of our senior leaders is… 1/2
— Delta (@Delta) October 14, 2016
…reaching out to assure her that we're completing a full investigation. *PL 2/2
— Delta (@Delta) October 14, 2016