BLACK EXCELLENCE: AVERY FORD, M.D.

In his practice, medicine is more than a healing

Avery Ford, M.D. received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he graduated with distinction as a Health Justice Scholar. He earned a master’s degree in Medical Health Sciences from Touro University Nevada and bachelor’s degrees in both Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and Spanish with a Minor in Leadership from the University of Colorado, Boulder. 

From advocating for healthcare bills to legislators in our nation’s capital to tackling health disparities via community outreach events and screenings, Dr. Ford works to show up for patients in and outside of his clinical duties. As a Black and Latino physician, he understands the unique perspectives of historically marginalized populations and has translated that understanding into strategizing with pipeline programs through the AAMC and NMA Action Collaborative and founding the Black Men in White Coats chapter at Georgetown. He also served as the Early Career Physicians Section co-chair for the Medical Society of DC to encourage engagement and spearhead professional development opportunities for rising physicians. To him, donning a white coat as a minority in medicine is an opportunity to address common health burdens as an uncommon resource. 

His efforts have not gone unnoticed, having earned scholarships and support from national stakeholders like Johnson & Johnson, National Medical Fellowships, the United Health Foundation, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Student National Medical Association as well as the District of Columbia Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Center for Health Equity. Dr. Ford is stepping into a dual role of emerging clinician and patient advocate as an incoming emergency medicine resident at University of Central Florida. 

Dr. Ford values a “lift while you climb” mindset and hopes to advance and expand diversity in medicine as a scholar and forward thinker. Aside from academics, Avery enjoys live music, the outdoors, and trying his hand at new recipes.