As one of just 13 Black, female transplant surgeons in the United States, Ashley Suah, MD, understands the significance of her role.
Black Americans are the largest minority group in need of an organ transplant, yet they only receive a fraction of the transplants performed, federal data shows. Historic inequities in preventative care and the donor selection process, among other problems, have fueled the gap.
It’s why Suah has been on a dual mission since joining the University of Chicago Medicine faculty in October 2023. She is driven not only to be an outstanding kidney and liver transplant surgeon to all people, but also to foster strong relationships outside of the operating room.
“I want to make sure the community has access to us, as their care team. People should feel empowered to ask questions about their health and recognize if they might have liver or kidney disease,” Suah said. “When patients or family members come into the hospital, I want them to feel comfortable, to be familiar with different treatment options and to understand what’s going on with their bodies.”
For Suah, progress starts with conversation around diseases — and divides — that disproportionately affect Black people and their likelihood of needing an organ transplant. She visits community centers and churches on Chicago’s South Side to provide education about kidney and liver health as well as the lifesaving value of organ donation.
Her presence, she hopes, helps build trust in doctors, hospitals and the transplant process.
To read more, see the full story on the Biological Sciences Division's website, here.
