Dr. Ala Stanford, the Philadelphia native and pediatric surgeon who made headlines for her work as a prominent leader during the city’s COVID-19 response, has published a new memoir, writes Nicole Leonard for WHYY.

The new book is titled, “Take Care of Them Like My Own: Faith, Fortitude and a Surgeon’s Fight for Health Justice.”

Both a memoir and a conversation about health equity and justice, the book tackles the racial injustices within our health care systems and the challenges young Black people face in pursuing careers in the medical field.

Born in North Philadelphia and raised in Germantown and Mount Airy with a single mother, Dr. Stanford had points of her life when her family used public assistance.

“Growing up in Philly, I think a lot of the young people have to grow up faster than other kids,” she said. “And that sort of grit that is known with being Philadelphia is what has prepared me for every potential obstacle that I have encountered.”

Her journey was far from an easy one.

Dr. Stanford had to overcome much adversity in route to becoming a doctor, then a surgeon, and ultimately a pediatric surgeon. This is especially due to the lack of Black women in these fields.

“I needed to tell that story,” she said.

Read more about Dr. Ala Stanford’s new book in WHYY.

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