ABOUT US
Mission Statement: Black Girl White Coat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides guidance, representation, mentorship, and scholarship to Black and Hispanic individuals pursuing careers in healthcare.
Our goal is not only to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the healthcare field, but also to make sure the next generation of Black and Hispanic doctors, nurses, and therapists are supported at every step of the way. We realize that there are stressors, challenges, and barriers unique to URMs pursuing medical professional degrees. We also understand that these obstacles will not be torn down in a day. We cannot promise that the road will be easy, but we can promise to provide genuine guidance to our BGWC community as they navigate their own unique journey to a successful career in healthcare.
Sandra Coker, MD
Founder
Sandra Coker is an Emergency Medicine Resident at the University of Chicago where she not only works to improve her clinical skills but also devotes her time to addressing healthcare disparities and promoting and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for students and residents. She is a Megan thee Stallion and Beyonce loving Houston native and an alumna of UTHouston McGovern Medical School and Baylor University. She founded Black Girl White Coat as a way to tell personal stories of her journey to medicine with the hopes that it would inspire kids and peers who are underrepresented minorities to pursue healthcare careers as well. Fast forward over five years and she hopes to continue to challenge the status quo and diversify the face of healthcare. When Sandra is not working with her BGWC community or helping patients in the Emergency Department, you can probably find her traveling to a new foreign country or drinking a mimosa with friends.
Christle Nwora, MD
Black Girl White Coat - Treasurer
Christle Nwora (she/her) is a current Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Resident in the Urban Health Residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. Born in Texas, Christle cheers for the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Longhorns. She received her undergraduate degree in Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from the University of Texas Houston Medical School. Christle wants to work in primary care with a special focus on adolescents. She values mentorship and wants a career in medical education focused on Student Affairs and Justice, Equity and Diversity spaces in Medical Education. She is excited to continue her role as the treasurer for Black Girl White Coat. If she isn't in the office, you can find her in the gym or taking a walk around Inner Harbor. You can find her children's book (The Hospital) at Amazon - use AmazonSmile for BGWC and a portion of your purchase will go to the organization.
Tina Corbin
Black Girl White Coat - Secretary
Tina is an incoming medical student at the University of the West Indies. She has worked in healthcare for many years and is very excited to take the next step in her dream of becoming a physician! She has always been passionate about advocating for and providing allyship to underrepresented and marginalized groups. She has furthered her passion through working with Black Girl White Coat, starting as an intern in 2020, and has since held the roles of Administrative Assistant and now, Secretary on the Board of Directors. When not working, studying, or volunteering, she loves to spend time with her wild-haired three-year-old or go swimming at the nearest beach – yay for living in the tropics!
Joyce Idehen, MD
Black Girl White Coat - Social Media Team
Joyce Idehen is a Family Medicine Resident at Lawndale Christian Health Center in Chicago. She graduated from medical school at American University of Antigua (US-IMG). She was born in Nigeria but was raised primarily in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the best HBCU, Prairie View A&M University, with her Bachelors in Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse for about two years before starting medical school. Joyce pursued a career in Family Medicine to combine her joys in primary care: mental health, women’s health, preventative medicine, and research in racial health disparities. Joyce is particularly passionate about educating Black patients about their health and conducting research to change clinical guidelines for preventative screenings.
Fun fact: I have traveled to 5 out of 7 continents.