Johns Hopkins Boasts All-Black Surgical Residents to Lead Trauma and Acute Surgery
It’s all Black everything at Johns Hopkins Hospital!
Their trauma and acute surgery service recently named an all-Black team of surgical residents to lead the unit: Valentine S. Alia, Lawrence B. Brown, Ivy Mannoh, Zachary Obinna Enumah, and Ifeoluwa “Ife” Shoyombo. This is a historical first for the institution and a notable development in academic medicine. This incredible milestone is significant for representation in surgical training programs and ongoing efforts to diversify medicine and to expand pathways for Black physicians into surgical specialties that have historically had low representation.
Residents will reportedly share responsibility for trauma call, operative duties, and teaching rounds as they rotate through the trauma service. “A historic moment for our program,” the hospital wrote in an Instagram post. “For the first time in program history, our flagship Halsted service (Trauma & ACS) is led by an all-Black team of senior residents and PGY-2s.”
“Black individuals comprise 13% of the U.S. population but only 6% of general surgeons nationwide,” the post continued. “This #BlackHistoryMonth, we recognize this milestone while continuing the work to build a more representative surgical workforce.
Brown, one of the residents, told ABC News, “Equity has to remain at the forefront of how we deliver patient care, how we do research, how we scale programs up in our healthcare system.”
Leaders at academic hospitals say concrete exposure and equitable access to high-stakes clinical roles matter for long-term career advancement. Mentorship from senior faculty and visible leadership roles can create pipelines for future Black surgical faculty and chairs.
The development is meaningful for trainees and patients alike. Having diverse voices in trauma leadership — a domain that often intersects with social determinants of health — can influence decision-making and patient trust. Johns Hopkins’ move joins a stream of hospitals and training programs examining how to translate diversity goals into day-to-day clinical responsibilities.
