Episode 6: "Dr. Wright's Perspective"

Last week I (Abbie) sat down with director of ECU Student Health Services Dr. LaNika Wright to discuss her journey into health care as a black woman. Though Dr. Wright is not native to Pitt County we wanted to talk to her in light of this year's Black History Month theme; Black Health and Wellness. She spoke about her role as ECU's director of Student Health Services as well as a women's health nurse practitioner and how to gained those roles.

Dr. Wright discussed how she was from a rural mountain town in Tennessee that lacked diversity. She spoke about how as a child she stood out as the "smart black girl" in her community. She also told a story about how she experienced racism in her experience shadowing a hospice nurse and how she didn't allow that to shut her down. Lastly Dr. Wright explained how in her work today, she often wonders if she is experiencing sexism, racism or a combination of both when she faces discrimination or disrespect in the work place.

“ There weren't a lot of us who were seen as intellectually inclined so that often lead to things like 'oh, the smart black girl'"- Dr. LaNika Wright

This conversation was one of the best ones we've had so far. Dr. Wright's ability to be so raw with us as well Ahn's ability to connect to her story allowed us to have a conversation that encompassed the reason we wanted to create this podcast in the first place.

Where to Listen

To listen to our conversation with Dr. LaNika Wright click on the Spotify icon at the bottom of the page or find the episode under the Podcasts tab.