Dr. Wendy Goodall McDonald is an exemplary example of representation matters. A Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine graduate and a first-generation board-certified OB-GYN, she is dedicated to inspiring more Black children to go into the medical field. There is an urgent need for more black faces in the healthcare industry. According to the Census bureau, Black people make up only 5.3% of all physicians.
As a child, Dr. Wendy was always curious about the inner workings of the human body. Because she saw her best friend’s mother practicing in the medical field as an OB/GYN she had a first hand view of what the future could hold for her. Representation matters.
Dr. Wendy’s latest book, “Stethoscope Dreams: How I Was Formed,” is available on Amazon. Her goal with this book is to ensure that all children are well-versed in knowing and understanding all of their body parts, including the reproductive organs. The book is beautifully illustrated to capture the children’s attention, and the main character journei is relatable to so many children. She has gorgeous brown skin and loves the human body like Dr. Wendy did as a child making this book a must-read for all young readers.
Dr. Wendy, also known as “Dr. Every Woman,” is determined to educate and inspire the next generation of healthcare providers with her fun and innovative approach – combining evidence-based health information along with music and literature! From adults reading ‘It Smells Just Like Popcorn’ to children learning that their bodies are temples in ‘My Body Is My Temple,’ Dr. Wendy hopes these kinds of activities will help young people develop a curiosity for science at an early age so they can make better decisions when it comes to taking care of themselves down the line–especially amongst Black & Brown youth whom she strives even harder towards providing improved access to medical care
She is also passionate about representation and increasing diversity in the medical field. By providing representation, she is participating in the “See One, Do One, Teach One” path, which can spark interest and encourage young people to pursue careers in medicine.
Dr. Wendy has some advice for parents who are unsure when and how to have the conversation regarding reproduction and our bodies.. She believes it’s important to explore and unpack where that discomfort comes from and possibly process through that history with a professional to create a more open future. At the end of the day, these body parts, though private, should not be taboo, and proper education surrounding them is good for the child’s health and safety.
Dr. Wendy’s work is a creative approach to educating and inspiring people. Through music and literature, she is making the puzzle of healthcare knowledge fun and accessible. Her mission is to inspire the next generation of healthcare providers, and she’s doing just that.
Article Written by: Khadijah Phillips| Khadijah Phillips is a highly driven woman who was born to break barriers. She proves that when powered by purpose, women are unstoppable. She’s built her storied life and career brick by brick, fighting fears, failures, and setbacks to have the success she’s always known was hers to claim. Today, she personifies what it means to ascend above adversity while inspiring countless others to do the same through her media company and strategic partnerships. You can follow her on Instagram @bestiesmedia and check out her website www.bestiesmedia.com.
