Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kimberly Gilbert.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Gilbert. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had a strong village growing up, led by my parents who prioritized both education and integrity. After graduating from an HBCU (Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA) then getting a master of science degree in Indianapolis, I returned to Louisiana to attend LSU School of Medicine before making my way to Atlanta to complete my residency at Emory University in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. After residency, I joined a private practice outside of metro Atlanta as an employee, but workplace challenges confirmed that I am the best physician that I can be when I am completely independent. The details of my journey are in my new book, So… When Do I See the Doctor? It highlights my experiences to become a physician and some of the racial and gender challenges and disparities I faced along the way.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been many challenges in the workplace due to both race and bias. For example, I routinely remind patients that I am, in fact, a doctor and not a nurse or a nurse’s assistant. The reality that I am Black and female likely challenges some notions about what a physician looks like but it does not change the fact that I am a doctor. I worked extremely hard to get to where I am, and my goal is to always provide the best care for my patients, even if that challenges people’s perceptions of what a doctor should be.
One of my favorite quotes from my book is from Benjamin Franklin, who said, “Out of adversity comes opportunity.” For me, the opportunities in these experiences have helped make a difference in the world. They led me to write my book and inspire and connect with Black students who need to see examples of people who look like them in medicine. It has also evolved into encouraging others to tell their stories so that people can be motivated toward change and stirred into action. I am convinced that the world is a far better place when people feel like their stories are both shared and honored.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a board-certified physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). I am most proud of being a diligent patient advocate and still providing patients the best possible care. I know that the journey can be daunting for them, but I see it as an opportunity to help them improve their quality of life. What sets me apart from others is despite dealing with racial and gender disparities, I continue to do the best that I can wherever I am called to help. It is the very reason I set out to become a physician in the first place. I wanted to help others and that has not changed. I want to model the change that I would like to see in the world.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I want to share my story to inspire the next generation of young physicians of color and to also open dialogue for more diversity in medicine.
Pricing:
- My book, So… When Do I See the Doctor? A Rx for Treating Chronic Marginalization While Preserving Yourself Through It All is available on Amazon.com for $18.99 in paperback.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dr. Kimberly Gilbert
3379 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326 - Website: www.kimberlygilbertmd.com
- Phone: 404-484-1617
- Email: kimberlygilbertmd@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kimberlygilbertmd
- Facebook: @kimberlygilbertmd
- Twitter: @realDrGilbert
Image Credit:
Steve Glass Photography for photo in black top.
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