Bluefield’s own becomes the first African American woman President of the American Medical Association
MERCER COUNTY, WV – (WVNS) Dr. Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA is a hometown hero for Bluefield, West Virginia. At her young age, she has already collected a long list of titles and accolades. Dr. Harris was inducted into the Bluefield High School Hall of Fame; got her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Medical Doctorate from WVU; served as the President of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association, a trustee of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of the WVU Board of Governors; and was the first African American woman to be President of the American Medical Association.
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She says her success is largely due to the protection and support she received from her family, teachers, and community.
She was born and raised in an all-black neighborhood, on the East End of Bluefield. And though she grew up toward the end of the “Jim Crow” era and started her elementary school education in a segregated school before going to integrated schools starting in the fourth grade, Dr. Harris reflects on growing up in Bluefield fondly. It is only later on in her life and career that she began to notice discrimination based on her race and gender.
Dr. Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA shared, “I do know that there are some people, not everyone, but some people who make decisions about my value, my worth, my competency based on what I look like. And, you know, over the course of my career that has been demonstrated in being in rooms and being ignored or making a point as a woman and, you know, maybe three speakers later, a male would make the point and be acknowledged for making the point. Ignore the fact that that that I made the point. There are times, again, when I have walked into stores and have been ignored, but my experiences are no different than many others.”
Dr. Harris says, what made the difference for her, is the environment she had growing up.
“I had a strong sense of support for who I was. It was never a question in my family that as to whether or not I could do whatever I wanted to do. External into my family. Of course, perhaps people thought that I would never be a physician, but I again, I think that sense of resilience comes from strong family support and learning early on that my family always had my back. But it is exhausting and it is challenging. There’s no question about that.”
Her advice for all young people who see or face discrimination is to speak out, and ultimately surround yourself with people who will support you.
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