AMA's formal apology to black doctors for discriminatory polices that kept them from participating in the group was powerful and timely.
It took a lot of courage for the organization's leaders to formally acknowledge that the group's discriminatory practices may have contributed to the disparities in America's healthcare system.
It would have been easier to let by-gones be by-gones.
But the AMA leadership public apology for its past bias against black doctors puts it at the forefront of the effort to heal lingering racial wounds in this country.
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
As a Mississippi Black physician, Baptist Medical Missionary and national advocate for health care for the poor and disenfranchised, I was glad to learn of the American Medical Association (AMA) apology for racial discrimination against black physicians. However, I feel the apology falls short of what is needed to bring healing and racial reconciliation to nation's black physicians.
I consider the apology by the AMA for historic racial discrimination against African-American physicians a necessary first step toward the resolution of a greater problem.
The apology does not include recent discriminatory policies and practices that have been supported by AMA leadership. I hope that former AMA President and board member, Dr. J. Edward Hill, will apologize for what he has done to undermine the medical practices of black physicians practicing in the poorest counties in America.
Dr. J. Edward Hill, while President of the AMA, was a board member of the Medical Assurance Company of Mississippi (MACM), the primary company for providing medical malpractice insurance for Mississippi physicians at the time. MACM's all white physician Board of Directors refused to renew the medical malpractice insurance policies of several black physicians, forcing me to close my Christian Family Health Centers in some of the poorest counties in America, located for in the Mississippi Delta in 2004. I have never had a medical malpractice judgement or claim against his medical practice after over 15 years of service to the poorest of the poor.
I believe the AMA must also openly and honestly address the issue of restitution from past and present policies and practices of discrimination toward black physicians.
Let us not forget our black patients whose access to health care has been limited because of discrimination against black physicians. Black physicians have lost their practices and livelihood because of racism. The medical profession needs healing from the legacy of racial discriminatory policies supported by the AMA.
I stand ready to work with the AMA to accomplish that goal.
"DOC"
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Founder & Chairman
American Pain Institute (API)
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
Myers Foundation For Indigent Health Care & Community Development
www.AMAApology.com
www.Juneteenth.us
www.njclc.com
www.19thofJune.com
www.AmericanPainInstitute.org
www.MyersFoundation.net
Why did the AMA apologize? Since when have white males EVER said they were sorry about anything, let alone for practicing their much beloved hatred. Something else is brewing here. They have something to gain by "humbling" themselves. Mark my word, we will see just why the AMA apologized and it won't be because of some hocus, pocus, road to Demascus experience.
Why did the AMA apologize? Since when have white males EVER said they were sorry about anything, let alone for practicing their much beloved hatred. Something else is brewing here. They have something to gain by "humbling" themselves. Mark my word, we will see just why the AMA apologized and it won't be because of some hocus, pocus, road to Demascus experience.
I was just thinking today listening to Cliff Kelly on the ride home from work how manipulative an apology is coming from such a historical enemy of our people as the AMA has been. They were discussing the racist New Yorker publication. I'm grateful that my future children wil be taught to judge an apology by one's effort to atone. This publication castrates the image of the Minister Farrakhan, who has brought a million black men together for the cause of atonement, way before Barack's recent similar conclusion. 12% black population with 3% medical representation means there is past, and just as much current bias. The problem with people like Mary Mitchell is that you love being the only this, and first that. Is this not what black history is all about?
I'm 26, and the history of our people, as given by curriculum, was a bunch of first this, and only that. Then you inquire as to why the inner city youth dresses in a way thats to some's dislike. Why would they heed critisim from someone who admires a national organization that admitted their acts have contributed to the deaths of at least hundreds of thousands, when you consider that there is a one hundred year history. Yet you feel some cheap apology shows courage. I feel as though they should be held negligent in a genocide tribunal similar to the one who seeks the president of sudan. Of course these hypocrite tribunals function in much the same manner as their masters eliminating any notion of credibility. I was just hoping on this one you would show the courage that I've seen a few shades of. I bore of a voice thats inconsistent.
"Since when have white males EVER said they were sorry about anything, let alone for practicing their much beloved hatred."
Independent Thinker...I will also say I'm sorry if you go out and get a job!
I don't know much about the AMA, except to say that I don't much care for many doctors - WHITE OR BLACK; however, white doctors have to pay their own medical malpractice. Funding for poor communities' medical practices should come from the government, NOT from the pulpit! And, once again, Obama has addressed that issue as well with talk of fixing "no child left behind" or no community left behind. Stop blaming and write to your government; get out and vote; stop the stupid white voters from putting stupid people in office; stop praying for a miracle from God - he is giving it right to you with the power of voice and voting! And, yes, over 100 YEARS AGO; the Jewish people are still living from their atrocities and I really don't see them bashing every German to walk the streets! Just as Obama has said - TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELVES AND YOUR CHILDREN and STOP blaming others - yes it was a horrific history - it is time to stop blaming others' for it - they are all DEAD! Talk about racism - when I can walk into a black neighborhood without complete fear of being killed, then you will have succeeded with your racism - you see it goes both ways!
MARY MITCHELL FOR PRESIDENT!!..(after Obama's two terms...of course!) Keep up the good work Mary!