Imagine you’re on a flight and suddenly a medical emergency arises. You hope that a qualified doctor or nurse is present to help, as their expertise could be crucial. But what if that trained professional is prevented from assisting? This unfortunate scenario unfolded on a recent Delta flight from Detroit to Minneapolis involving Dr. Lena Harris, a Houston-based OB/GYN resident.
While on the flight, Dr. Harris heard a woman in distress, crying out because her husband had become unresponsive. Instinctively, Dr. Harris prepared to help, unbuckling her seatbelt and preparing to stand. However, a flight attendant interrupted, assuring everyone that it was merely a “night terror.” Trusting her medical training, Dr. Harris decided to monitor the situation, hoping for the best.
Minutes later, the situation worsened, and the flight attendant called for any medical professionals on board. Dr. Harris raised her hand, only to be met with disbelief. “Oh no, sweetie, put your hand down. We need actual physicians or nurses, not someone like you,” the flight attendant replied dismissively. Dr. Harris, frustrated, attempted to clarify her credentials but was repeatedly interrupted.
A subsequent announcement encouraged all doctors to press their overhead buttons. Dr. Harris did just that, and the same flight attendant was astonished to discover that she was, in fact, a physician. “Let me see your credentials. What kind of doctor are you?” the attendant demanded, bombarding Dr. Harris with questions when time was of the essence.
While Dr. Harris provided her information, another passenger—a white male doctor—approached and was met with immediate acceptance, without needing to show any credentials. Dr. Harris noted, “He hadn’t even shown anything, just fit the ‘description of a doctor.’” Thankfully, the patient began to respond, but the flight attendant later sought Dr. Harris’s input for the next steps, despite initially dismissing her.
Despite her frustration, Dr. Harris guided the flight attendant on how to care for the patient, setting aside her feelings for the sake of the emergency. After the incident, the flight attendant apologized multiple times and offered Dr. Harris SkyMiles, which she declined, stating, “I don’t want SkyMiles in exchange for blatant discrimination.”
Dr. Harris asserted that this experience illustrated the need to address discrimination, whether it stemmed from race, gender, or age. “She won’t get away with this,” Dr. Harris expressed, as she reflected on the incident.
This story serves as a reminder that all medical professionals deserve respect and recognition, especially in critical situations. Additionally, if you’re interested in exploring family planning options, you might find valuable information on home insemination and fertility at sources like this article and this one. For those looking into pregnancy methods, you can also check out this excellent resource.
In summary, Dr. Lena Harris’s experience on the Delta flight highlights the challenges that professionals can face in emergency situations, especially regarding recognition and respect. It’s essential to acknowledge the expertise that individuals bring, regardless of their appearance or background.