For Dr. Sira Duson, MD, MBA, FACS, Black History Month is a time for self-reflection on the African American community's struggles throughout history. She acknowledges the struggles of Black Americans and their descendants in creating opportunities for the entire African diaspora here in the United States (U.S.), and she expresses gratitude.
Duson was raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to the U.S. at the age of seven, where her family settled in the DMV area (Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia). Duson credits the efforts of Black Americans and the descendants of enslaved people, noting that their fight has benefited everyone in this country, including those from different backgrounds.
"I understand that my privileges in this country are a direct result of the contributions of Black American descendants of slaves, and I am very appreciative of that," said Duson.
Her journey led her to pursue a career in vascular surgery, which felt like the most natural choice. Duson enjoyed the surgical procedures and the personalities of the surgeons she has trained alongside. She observed the close connections formed with patients, many of whom become lifetime patients. Duson recalls how her patients often reach out during holidays and arrive at their appointments with their families, making it a rewarding experience to connect with the entire family.
“Many of my patients come from underserved communities, when they have a provider who looks like them, their eyes light up. They can sense that you genuinely care, and that you see them as you would your own family member,” said Duson.
Duson is a board-certified vascular surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Regional One Health and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned her medical degree at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia and completed her vascular surgery fellowship at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. She completed her residency and internship in general surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.
In 2021, the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS) published “Black Vascular Surgeons Survey: Who Are They? Where Are They? Who Do They Treat ?,” which Duson co-authored with other prominent vascular surgeons. This study reported data that the medical community had not gathered in the past. Through the help of different societies recognizing the importance of the data, the group concluded that the number of black vascular surgeons did not reflect the U.S. population.
“The number of Black Americans in the US population is about 14%, yet black vascular surgeons account for less than 2% of practicing vascular surgeons. This leads to conversations about increasing the pipeline and getting the trainees to reflect the actual population,” said Duson.
The Society of Black Vascular Surgeons (SBVS) was officially established in 2021, and Duson serves as its current treasurer and on the Executive Board.
The organization has established a trainee, resident and student section actively involved in monthly sessions to address various concerns and questions about residency and training. Duson affirms these discussions go beyond textbook knowledge, as they cover everyday topics such as writing a strong research paper, creating an effective curriculum vitae (CV) and interviewing tips for training positions and jobs.
Duson said SBVS is committed to preparing trainees for the application process by providing guidance on creating strong applications, assisting them in securing research positions and sponsoring their attendance at conferences.
“We have successfully sponsored many residents and medical students to attend the SVS Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) and the National Medical Association (NMA) meetings, which is a top priority for our group. Our industry partners have been helpful in raising funds that enable us to support our trainees and strengthen the pipeline into vascular surgery,” said Duson.
The SVS and SBVS continue to collaborate, fostering partnerships and advocacy within the field of vascular surgery.
In addition to her connections with the SVS and SBVS, Duson is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery (SCVS).
Representation matters for Duson because of the nuances and cultural differences observed among certain groups, particularly in how patients describe pain and symptoms.
“Having someone from that group listening can help identify important details that others might miss, and patients may be more willing to share their experiences,” said Duson.
Duson emphasizes the importance of using funding to address these issues, advocating for greater representation of underserved minorities in clinical trials. She believes in how the SVS Foundation uses its resources to increase awareness about the significance of including minority patients in clinical research. Duson mentions her colleagues, Drs. Vincent Rowe, Olamide Alabi and Lee Kirksey, have published studies on the various aspects of care impacting underrepresented minorities with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This includes bringing multidisciplinary care to clinics in impoverished areas, addressing disparities in PAD-related amputations, and recruiting minorities for clinical trials.
“Data from majority populations may not translate effectively to minority populations,” said Duson.
“Including these patients in research is crucial because they represent a significant portion of those receiving treatment. Ensuring that clinical outcomes apply to these diverse populations is vital,” said Duson.
Duson herself donates to the Foundation to enhance the understanding of the natural history and outcomes of various disease processes within these communities and encourages everyone else to do the same.
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