As March marks both Women’s History Month and Colon Cancer Awareness Month, it is a fitting time to spotlight trailblazing Black women in medicine—an underrepresented group in the field.
Despite Black Americans making up 13% of the U.S. population, only 5.4% of physicians are Black, and of those, only 2.8% are Black women, according to a 2021 report in The Lancet.
Dr. Maseray S. Kamara, MD, is one of the few Black women in the field of colon and rectal surgery, specializing in robotic surgery and anorectal disease.
A first-generation Sierra Leonean American, she was born and raised in Virginia and trained in Michigan, overcoming systemic barriers to become a vital force in the fight for health equity.
A Passion for Medicine and Representation
Dr. Kamara’s path to medicine was driven by more than just a desire to treat disease—it was about empowering patients through knowledge and advocacy.
“I realized that healthcare wasn’t just about treating disease—it was about empowering patients with knowledge, advocating for better health outcomes, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives,” Dr. Kamara told Girl Talk HQ.
Her work is particularly significant as Black Americans face disproportionately higher rates of colorectal cancer, with Black men and women 20% more likely to be diagnosed and 40% more likely to die from the disease than other racial groups, according to the American Cancer Society. Dr. Kamara’s presence in the field is not just about representation—it’s about saving lives.
Fighting for Diversity in Medicine Amid DEI Backlash
Beyond her work as a surgeon, Dr. Kamara is also a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in medicine, a topic that has faced increasing backlash in recent years.
Many women of color in medicine report experiences of bias and discrimination, making their presence in the field even more crucial.
Her journey demonstrates the urgent need to support Black women in medicine, both for their individual success and for the broader goal of improving health outcomes in underrepresented communities.
Dr. Kamara hopes her story will inspire more young Black women to enter the medical field and ensure that communities receive culturally competent, high-quality care.
