LabXchange's Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Science Education (RDEISE) project is designed to raise awareness of the history of racism in science. In addition, it examines the structures that prevent racialized groups, specifically Black Americans, from having equal access to opportunities in healthcare, education, and STEM fields. Our content collaborator Body Scientific International is a shining example of how scientifically accurate and diverse representation can improve healthcare for people from different communities and backgrounds around the world.
Spurred by a passion for advancing medical illustration, Marcelo Oliver and Lik Kwong founded medical design company Body Scientific in 2005. Together with a small team, they create custom anatomical models and technology solutions for the healthcare industry.
Raised in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Marcelo holds a master’s in medical illustration and biocommunications from the University of Michigan. His years of experience as a medical illustrator, creative director, and marketing director inform his current role at Body Scientific, which involves strategic decision-making, project management, and working with his team to visualize ideas in fresh and innovative ways.
We spoke to Marcelo about why diversity in anatomical illustrations is important, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and more.
We’re driven by a powerful vision: to provide exceptional, diverse medical education resources for students, patients, and healthcare professionals alike, in which all patients are accurately represented. From the very beginning, I wanted Body Scientific to provide services for the US market, but also aspired to have a global impact.
Despite being a small group, we boast extensive experience in visualizing anatomy and surgical procedures, enabling us to deliver impactful visuals with the utmost efficiency. Along the way, we've been humbled to receive recognition in the form of several awards, which further validate our dedication to excellence.
We take immense pride in creating visuals that not only educate but also inspire and engage our audiences on a deeper level. As we forge ahead, we look forward to continuing to push boundaries and set new standards in medical visual communication.
Historically, medical illustrations were created based on what the artists observed and the audience they were surrounded by, primarily serving Western Caucasian patients and students. Unfortunately, this resulted in a lack of representation of other ethnicities, such as African, Latine, Asian, and Middle Eastern populations. Consequently, it contributed to an industry that did not adequately represent, support, or welcome other ethnicities.
Incorporating diversity in anatomical illustrations addresses these disparities. It promotes a more patient-centered approach, allowing healthcare providers to better understand, communicate with, and address the specific healthcare needs of traditionally underrepresented groups. Medicine becomes more accessible and relatable to individuals from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing the notion that healthcare is within their reach. Additionally, it enhances trust in the medical industry. When people feel included and represented, they become more open and receptive to absorbing and comprehending the information being presented to them.
Over time, diverse visuals can contribute to increasing the diversity within the healthcare profession itself. This breaks down cultural and racial barriers, fostering positive experiences and greater appreciation and respect for people who may look and live differently from us.
In the 18 years since we started Body Scientific, I've witnessed how diverse medical visuals bridge the gap between healthcare professionals and their patients. Firstly, if trainees don’t see themselves represented in resources, they may not establish as strong a connection to the material. Secondly, a lack of diversity in training resources can result in a gap in knowledge and understanding, ultimately impacting the quality of care provided.
Patients from underrepresented backgrounds may face barriers to receiving appropriate healthcare, experiencing misdiagnoses, ineffective treatment plans, and ultimately poorer healthcare outcomes. How does one effectively treat a skin condition or determine if someone is experiencing cyanosis on dark skin without adequate visual representation and training resources?
Additionally, the portrayal of doctor-patient interactions may differ across cultures, such as in the Middle East versus the United States. If trainees have been predominantly exposed to less diverse visuals, their readiness to provide culturally competent care and address the unique needs of underrepresented groups may be diminished.
During my international business trips, I've come to realize the profound impact of creating medical visuals that truly resonate with the local population. When I attended Africa Health in Johannesburg, the sheer excitement and genuine appreciation of young medical students and healthcare professionals as they encountered our medical charts featuring African individuals left an indelible impression on me.
When a medical image reflects the characteristics of the people it is addressing, it captures their attention, sparks their interest, and instills a sense of being understood. This powerful connection fosters engagement and a genuine desire to learn more. It is clear that by adapting medical visuals to suit different cultures and languages, we can enhance accessibility and understanding, and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes.
Body Scientific recognizes that it is just one small part of a much larger movement aimed at rectifying racial inequity. Our work is rooted in advocating for diversity and inclusivity in medical visuals. By presenting medical visuals that reflect the reality of our global population, we contribute to breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive healthcare environment.
Moreover, as an individual of African and Brazilian descent myself, I am personally invested in providing a positive experience and working towards breaking racial barriers within and outside the United States. As a Black professional with a master's degree, I am part of the less than 10% of master's graduates of color in the US.
My inspiration came from my grandfather, who received a master’s degree from Northwestern University in 1953, and my grandmother, who was a teacher in the Chicago public school system. I hope to represent people of color with each business project we work on and medical professional that we collaborate with, and to do my part in helping to remove racial biases where they exist.
I would like to see more diversity in healthcare. In order to do that, we need to encourage more people of color to attend college, engage in STEM studies, obtain medical degrees in any of a multitude of roles, and engage in work not only within their communities but in all communities.
Promoting racial equity is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity to drive positive change within the medical field. It is through collaboration, education, and conscious action that we can collectively create a more equitable healthcare landscape, where everyone has equal access to quality education and care.
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Marcelo Oliver’s answers were lightly edited for clarity and length.
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