In celebration of Black History Month, the Student National Medical Association at Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed speaker Dr. Darnita Anderson Hill, who specializes in osteopathic medicine, for a discussion titled, “The Road through Medicine: Challenges, Growth & Purpose.”
Kayla Bouknight, a second-year medical student at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, emceed the program on Thursday, Feb. 26 in the Groner Auditorium.
Participants were engaged and eager to learn about Hill’s take on osteopathic medicine as the event recognized legacy, service and representation in osteopathic medicine.
Hill is a board-certified physician in family and osteopathic medicine and has more than three decades of experience in clinical practice, medical education, community health and holistic primary care. She authored “Blacks in Osteopathic Medicine: An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” a book that chronicles the history, achievements and ongoing influence of Black osteopathic physicians.
She comes from a historical lineage of doctors of osteopathic medicine and shared with the audience that her father, William G. Anderson, DO, was among some of the first African American doctors of osteopathic medicine in the country. Anderson served as the first and only African American president of the American Osteopathic Association.
When asked about what osteopathic medicine means to her, Hill explained that it’s a more holistic approach to healthcare. In her healthcare practices, Hill brings a patient-centered philosophy, emphasizing prevention, education and community outreach.
“We consider the mind, body and the spirit,” Hill said. “We’re looking at the whole individual. You’re going to manipulate all aspects of a patient’s life to bring them to wellness. You’re going to consider their social life, mental state and their diet.”
“I hope my peers and attendees left with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a doctor of osteopathic medicine,” said Bouknight.
Bouknight said she hoped her peers and attendees left with a deeper understanding of the field of osteopathic medicine.
“Dr. Hill’s story resonates with me because it reflects the type of physician I aspire to become,” Bouknight said. “She leads with purpose and uses her platform to create spaces for others. Her journey reminds me that pursuing a career in medicine requires service, integrity and a willingness to show up where you are needed most.”
