Ernest Hemingway famously wrote that “courage is grace under pressure.” Following our story on the African doctors working at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, which we published on April 15th right when the pandemic was tearing New York City apart, we decided to revisit some of the Africans working at the Fort Greene medical institution.
This photo story by lifestyle and architectural photographer Olivier Kpognon, which can be considered the second part of our report on New York City’s black front-line workers operating in the medical field, shows courage, resilience and optimism at a time when so many are struggling to cope with losing patients to Covid-19.
Born in Belgium to a French mother and a Beninese father, Kpognon was raised in the Washington DC area. He embarked on this “Portraits of Greatness” project, which he called “Pandemic Profiles,” because he wanted to acknowledge and honor our healthcare heroes in a way that was familiar to him.
“Many people found ways to encourage healthcare workers in their own way,” he says. “Some made grocery runs for the elderly, while others were making and donating free masks and bringing food to relief workers.” Kpognon decided to use his photography skill set to capture the spirit of these brave women and men. By the time he was done with the project, he’d shot more than 200 portraits during the span of two days.
Adebanke Adebayo
MD, outgoing Emergency Medicine Administrative Chief Resident
What is your mission or purpose in medicine?
My mission in medicine is to ensure that people of all creed and color receive exquisite care in their time of need. My purpose is to serve my community. The healing process becomes smoother when you know you are being treated by people who are sympathetic to your needs. I also think my purpose is to teach the incoming physicians their importance and their impact on the world. Treat patients how you want you or your family to be treated.
What motivates you to continue?
My motivation stems from seeing people who are sick resume their regular lives. It’s a gift given from God to heal. Being able to deliver good news to a patient and their family. I know for sure that God chose this profession for me.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Mango, ice cream, pineapple, and dancing/music… You know the vibes.
Olaitan Lola Ajisafe
MD, incoming Academic Chief Resident
What is your mission?
To serve my community. Be that face that makes people who look like me more comfortable and more trusting of me and my colleagues, particularly in the current climate.
What is your purpose?
The force from within. God, the Holy Spirit. I feel like I didn’t choose medicine, medicine chose me.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I love ️desserts! I’ll pick a place based on desserts and not the main course.
Anani Assogba
Radiologic Technologist
What is your responsibility?
To have an eye for medicine.
Why are you on the front lines, and what inspires you to keep going?
Saving lives.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Helping others.
Obed Adarkwah
Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow
What is your mission?
To be an integral part of the community and helping those less fortunate, including educating my community.
Why are you on the front lines, and what inspires you to keep going?
Someone once told me to also be an example as I never know who is watching me as a role model.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Watching cooking shows.
Janice Uduma
Emergency Medicine Resident
What is your mission?
To heal the medically underserved population.
Why are you on the front lines, and what inspires you to keep going?
My family, my background, and my love for the sciences.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Traveling.
Sylvie de Souza-ViBi
Chair of Emergency Medicine
What is your responsibility and mission?
I’m am not “in charge.” I am responsible for the people in my charge. I aim to empower them, to give them a voice, and to keep them engaged in the processes by giving them ownership. I give them room to shine, remove obstacles when it is in my power, and when we face challenges, make them part of the solution. I use this approach with my colleagues and with the patients I take care of.
Why are you on the front lines and what inspires you to keep going?
Perpetuating the idea to my team and my patients that we always have a choice regarding how we react to any situation. We have the ability within us to create new possibilities. I believe in leading by example. I was blessed to have great mentors in life and in my career, many who along the way believed in me. Starting with my parents. In their honor, I aspire to fulfill my mission of delivering and teaching compassionate emergency care and encouraging the mentors of tomorrow.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Playing house DJ and dancing by myself. When in doubt, just dance!