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For our fourth Black History Month episode, we had the privilege to speak with Dr. Darnita Anderson Hill, DO. Dr. Anderson Hill is the daughter of Dr. William Anderson, DO, a surgeon and pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement who we interviewed previously this month.

At a young age, Dr. Anderson Hill knew she wanted to pursue a career as a physician. Ultimately, her passion led her to apply to both osteopathic and allopathic institutions. Dr. Anderson Hill quickly discovered that the philosophy and principles of osteopathic medicine truly resonated with her, leading her to attend the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Today, Dr. Anderson Hill is a board-certified family medicine physician who remains deeply connected to osteopathic principles in her practice.

Passionate about both the history of osteopathic medicine and her African American heritage, Dr. Anderson Hill set out on a spiritual journey to learn about the origins of osteopathy, the osteopathic philosophy, and the role that the Black community has played in the founding and progression of medical practice - more specifically, osteopathic medicine in America. Spanning from Kirksville, Missouri, the site of the first osteopathic medical school, to Jonesville, Virginia, the birthplace of Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, her journey ultimately led her to author a book entitled "Blacks in Osteopathic Medicine: An Idea Whose Time Has Come."

This book, which is a must-read for all medical students and physicians alike, aims to clarify not only the history of osteopathic medicine but more importantly highlight the role and contribution of Blacks to modern medicine - specifically, osteopathic medicine in America.

In our interview, Dr. Anderson Hill comments on history, but, more importantly, offers insight into how she feels osteopathic schools might work to better represent minorities, specifically Black students, and further discusses what Black students can do to learn more about the osteopathic profession.