Lessons to Learn from Reggie: The Importance of Medical Humanities

Nearly six months ago, while studying for USMLE Step 1, I visited one of my go-to online forums during a study break: a discussion board dedicated to Black doctors and trainees. I learned about a recent publication in the Journal of Neurology that caused significant outrage not only within this forum, but also in the medical community online at large. Much like the rest of the readers, I was deeply troubled and did not understand the purpose of the article, “Lucky and the Root Doctor.” It was the story of an ill, elderly and superstitious Black man named Reggie. He was seeking treatment from a neurologist for his worsening polymyositis while also consulting a “ root doctor .” The story was published in the Journal of Neurology by the neurologist himself — a now-retired White male physician from Georgia. The essay drew immediate and significant criticism from physicians and medical trainees who pointed out that it was littered with condescension and racism towards Reggie as well as poor, Southern Black people at large.

The monicker “Lucky” in the title refers to a few things, including Reggie’s sexual function, as told in the story. The physician does not believe Reggie to be lucky, and in fact recounts, “So a man who was blinded and suffered terrible facial disfigurement […] considers himself lucky. Reggie was like Amy Tan’s…