Conversations with Dr. Melody T. McCloud, MD

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Melody T. McCloud, MD.

Hi Dr. Melody T., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Melody T. McCloud. Dr. McCloud, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I never knew any of my grandparents, had an absentee father and a single mother that (I’ll just say) had some “issues” of which I regularly had to be aware and process. I have no siblings. A latchkey kid, I lived on the fifth floor of a six-floor walk-up apartment building in New York City. The other kids in the building and I were like siblings, and I’m still in touch with some of them. [I later found and met my father when I was 49 years old.]

When I was a little girl, I was very fortunate to have a Black female pediatrician. I used to love to go to the office of Dr. Doris Wethers where I’d smell the clean rubbing alcohol in the air, and I recall hearing that “she helped people feel better.” That seemed to touch my spirit; so early on, I knew I wanted to become a physician.

I attended Catholic school for 12 years; but when in the 10th grade, I joined Canaan Baptist Church pastored by the late Civil Rights leader, Rev. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker. Knowing my situation, he was very supportive of me. He was the first to call me a “Renaissance woman,” even though I, then, didn’t know what that meant. It was a prescient high compliment.

By God’s grace, I was very smart. I got good grades, and was admitted into the top Catholic high school in New York. I was only the 5th Black student of 500 total students.

Interestingly, at my high school after a PTA meeting as I stood right there, I heard the then-vice principal and history teacher say, “Be sure she takes typing, because Black people don’t become doctors.” I still feel the sting of that statement. But, I already knew better because I had Dr. Wethers! Also, when I’d help the church office staff after school some days, Rev. Walker often greeted me with “Hello, Doctor!” So I had the vision of Dr. Wethers, and the hearing of me as “doctor” was imprinted in my mind.

My decision to become an obstetrician-gynecologist was due to the intersection of my high school health classes and my becoming a Christian. To learn that a man and a woman have something called “sex,” and from a woman’s egg and the man’s sperm (both invisible to the naked eye), a whole other human being is born? I thought that was amazing! I laugh at it now, but I just couldn’t believe it! And thus, it seemed to be a miracle that I wanted to be a part of on a regular basis. I spent time as a Candy Striper and I loved being in the hospital setting where people were being healed from pain, suffering and disease.

I attended Boston University with a double major, then Boston University School of Medicine, followed by four years of intense training within the Emory University School of Medicine and its Affiliated Hospitals. And it is true: “Atlanta can’t live without Grady!”

On August 15, 1985, I fulfilled a dream: I opened my own private practice. Solo private practices are a rarity these days, but to hang my shingle on my office door had been the vision and it was fulfilled. God had been good, as I stayed focused and grounded, determined to achieve my goal.

I had two patients that day–one at 9:30 AM and the second, at 3 PM. I was so happy. That schedule didn’t last long! Over my years in practice I was blessed and honored to have been the obstetrician-gynecologist-surgeon to our Civil Rights matriarchs, many internationally-known celebrities, and thousands of other wonderful women including doctors, doctors’ wives, educators, judges, local media personalities, and more. I’ve never been sued, and I was recently bestowed a Distinguished Alumni Award by Emory University School of Medicine. Those award began in 1958 and only 14 women had been previously bestowed. I was only the third Black woman to get such a distinction. In many ways, my life has touched history. I plan to write my memoir.

I’m also a bit of the point person for advancing the story of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the 1st Black female physician in the US. As the Civil War raged in 1864, she graduated from what became Boston University School of Medicine.

Rev. Walker deeming me a “Renaissance woman” proved true based on its meaning in that I am not only an ob-gyn-surgeon, but also a published author of Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan/Sounds True. I am an award-wining poet (per the Georgia Poetry Society), a requested media consultant to various broadcast and print outlets, and a public speaker. I lecture about health, sex, and social issues across the country. But of all those activities, to have someone entrust their very person–their body–to you as physician and surgeon, to heal their ills is the greatest honor and joy.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As the lyrics go, “I’ve had my share of life’s ups and downs,” and “you may know my ‘glory,’ but you don’t know my story.” Again, starting out poor, without family was an obstacle; though, as a young girl, I didn’t see it as such. It was just my life. But with my spirit of discernment, I stayed focused, and didn’t follow the crowd. In the words of author Don Miguel Ruiz in his book, The Four Agreements, “Say to yourself what you would be, then do what you have to do.”

What Black woman hasn’t had challenges? Those happen practically every day, especially in this day and time. As a Black female in a predominantly White-male-dominated profession of physicians and surgeons, some may have wondered if you’re really qualified to be in a particular school, profession, or neighborhood.

I often share the story of my being on call for the Emergency Room and a patient was flown in from a rural county. She was in-and-out of consciousness so her husband had to give permission for her emergency surgery. Her story and preliminary evaluation indicated a likely ruptured ectopic pregnancy with extensive intrabdominal hemorrhage. The nurses had told him, “Dr. McCloud is on her way.” I rushed to the hospital at 1AM, and when I entered the patient’s ER room, the husband said, “You’re the doctor? You’re the doctor? Oh no! I’m not having some Black doctor operate on my wife!” The nurse said, “Sir, you want Dr. McCloud to operate on your wife,” but he said, “Oh no, I don’t!” He signed the patient out of the emergency unit “AMA”–Against Medical Advice.

Also, even among our own, folks–even family–may try to dim your light, try to deter you; some, even from jealousy. So, as printed in my book, Black Women’s Wellness, I have a “McCloudism”: “When you do your thing, remember, you will have “haters,” but never let people get your off track. Sometimes colleagues, even family members, will become jealous, try to derail you and destroy your spirit. But no matter what obstacles come against you, you can make it if you treat people right, stay focused on your goal, and stay true to yourself and your God.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At this stage of my life, I’ve taken my healthcare messaging and services beyond the sacred space of an exam room or operating room suite. I have been blessed to be invited to speak about health, sex, and social issues to many women and men across the country. Post-lecture evaluations include “best session,” and I’ve had repeat invitations.

I also have been sought for medical and social commentary by broadcast outlets CNN, NBC Nightly News, Court TV giving commentary on medical testimony; WABC, NPR, and local affiliates WXIA, WSB and others. I was the weekly ob-gyn contributor to WXIA for their original “Ask the Doctor” segments.

Because I’ve been so deep in the sciences, writing, and the serious care of others’ health, I would like to be a bit more artsy: Some behind the scenes voiceover work would be cool. I’ve been told because of my eyes (and other parts), and that I look younger than my age, I should try to be in some print ads as a model talent–a senior citizen model talent! We’ll see.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Given the absence of true “family,” I give credit to God for giving me the mindset to stay focused when I could have gone in so many other directions. Plus the influence and support of the late Dr. Doris Wethers, the late Rev. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker; my beloved Godmother, the late Genevieve Kemp; and my “family” of inner circle friends for being my support through my life’s journey. They are present for me; and I, for them.

What sets you apart from others?
That may for others to say. But it warms my heart to hear of my bedside manner, that I’m easy to talk to, and not haughty. I am warm, and especially my patient care in the office and the operating room. I have always been kind to the nurses and other hospital personnel. A few months ago, I was floored when I read an email from a woman who was a nursing student when I was in training in the 1980s. In her email, she wrote that she is now a nurse, has returned to the Atlanta area; and because she was so impressed with me then, she asked if I would please be her GYN doctor now. Wow. You never know who is watching you, or what impression you make upon someone. I cried upon reading her words, that 40 years later, she remembered me and wanted me to care for her.

What makes you happy?
I enjoy loving company, good friends, good conversation, good food, travel to new places; and of course good music–“classic” music with great lyrics, distinguishable words, and music that puts you in a feel good mood: Think Motown and other sounds from the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s such as Luther, Whitney, EWF, classic Gospel music, etc. Plus, you can add Bruno Mars and Robin Thicke. I love the piano and the saxophone. I have a killer collection of vinyl and CDs–yes, CDs!–that I play often. I don’t listen to sounds with monotonous beats and crass verbiage; it’s poison to the mind. Last, I’m “a Black chick who swims,” so I’m always happy to be in, on, or near some water.

Pricing:

• My book, BLACK WOMEN’S WELLNESS: Your Guide to Health, Sex & Phenomenal Living is endorsed by musician Pauletta Washington (Yes, Denzel’s wife); by Dr. Jen Ashton, Dr. Jeff Gardere and others. It addresses health–head-to-toe; also the effect of psychosocial stress–microaggressions–on physical health, and more, plus life lessons for success and how to achieve against all odds. It’s available in local bookstores and at your favorite online booksellers. Contact me for Speaker compensation rates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DrMcCloud.com/
• Instagram: DrMMcCloud
• LinkedIn: Melody T. McCloud, MD
• Twitter: @DrMelodyMcCloud
• Amazon: Black Women’s Wellness: https://a.co/d/iCwD6Qn
• BarnesandNoble: https://bit.ly/3fiktAx

Image Credits
Drexina Nelson (for the primary head shot).
Melody T. McCloud (for all other photos)