Antoinette Leonard-Jean Charles, in fulfilling the requirements for the EdD program in Educational and Professional Practice, has written and published a dissertation titled, Unmasking the Nexus of Race, Ethnicity, and Health: An Intersectional Analysis of the Epistemology of Race in Medicine, Medical Curricula, and Health Disparities.
Charles’ dissertation examined how outdated racial biases shape medical training, influence providers, and impact patient care. Using Critical Race Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Social Capital Theory, the research reveals how bias is embedded in healthcare systems, affecting medical education, clinical decisions, and access to care. Charles used historical analysis, surveys, and case studies to show that racial assumptions still shape medical curricula and diagnostic tools, leading to unequal treatment. Key recommendations include mandatory anti-racism training in medical schools, eliminating race-based medical guidelines, and fostering culturally competent, patient-centered care. These reforms aim to create a more equitable healthcare system for all.
Charles is a scholar, researcher, and educator committed to transforming medical education and advancing healthcare equity. Her work interrogates the epistemology of race in medicine, advocating for the removal of racial bias from medical curricula. A lecturer at Vanderbilt University, Charles teaches Social Dimensions of Health and Illness, integrating her research into medical training to promote equity-driven clinical practice.
Read and download Charles’ dissertation, Unmasking the Nexus of Race, Ethnicity, and Health: An Intersectional Analysis of the Epistemology of Race in Medicine, Medical Curricula, and Health Disparities, here.
