Imagine being on a flight and a medical emergency arises, only to find that the person who could potentially save a life is being stopped from helping. This was the unfortunate reality for Dr. Lisa Johnson, an OB/GYN resident from Houston, Texas, during a Delta flight from Detroit to Minneapolis.
As a woman two rows ahead began shouting for help, claiming her husband was unresponsive, Dr. Johnson instinctively shifted into “doctor mode.” She quickly unfastened her seatbelt, prepared to stand, but was met with resistance from a flight attendant who insisted everyone remain calm, dismissing the situation as a mere “night terror.” Despite her extensive medical training, Dr. Johnson decided to observe for a moment, knowing that emergencies often escalate.
Minutes later, the situation worsened, prompting the flight attendant to call for any medical professionals on board. Dr. Johnson raised her hand, only to be told, “Oh no, sweetie, put your hand down. We’re looking for actual physicians or nurses. We don’t have time to talk to you.” In her viral Facebook post, Dr. Johnson expressed her frustration as she attempted to communicate her qualifications, but the flight attendant continued to interrupt her.
After another announcement requesting physicians to press their overhead button, Dr. Johnson did just that. When the flight attendant finally acknowledged her, she bombarded her with questions about her credentials. “Please remember, this man is still in need of help,” Dr. Johnson wrote, noting how the attendant was blocking her row while questioning her qualifications.
Another doctor, a white male, soon approached, and the flight attendant immediately accepted his presence without asking for credentials, which left Dr. Johnson feeling dismissed. Fortunately, the patient started responding to inquiries, and after some time, the flight attendant turned to Dr. Johnson for assistance. Despite her understandable frustration, Dr. Johnson guided the attendant through monitoring the patient, putting aside her feelings to help.
In the aftermath, the flight attendant apologized repeatedly and even offered Dr. Johnson SkyMiles, which she declined, stating that she didn’t want any compensation for blatant discrimination. “Whether this was due to race, age, or gender, it’s not right,” she asserted, vowing to ensure accountability.
This incident highlights the critical importance of recognizing and respecting medical professionals, regardless of their appearance. It also serves as a reminder that discrimination has no place in any environment, especially during emergencies.
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Summary
Dr. Lisa Johnson, a resident OB/GYN, faced discrimination from a flight attendant during a medical emergency on a plane, highlighting issues of race and gender in healthcare. Despite being dismissed, she ultimately assisted in the situation, proving the importance of recognizing medical professionals.