In the event of a medical emergency on a flight, passengers often hope that a qualified medical professional is nearby to assist. Unfortunately, there are times when an individual qualified to help is prevented from doing so. This was the case on a recent Delta Airlines flight from Detroit to Minneapolis involving Dr. Angela Davis, an OB/GYN resident from Houston, Texas.
As the flight progressed, a woman seated a few rows ahead began calling for assistance, claiming her husband was unresponsive. Dr. Davis instinctively shifted into “doctor mode,” as she recounted in a viral Facebook post. However, her attempts to help were thwarted by a flight attendant who insisted on maintaining calm and dismissed the situation as merely a “night terror.” Despite her training, Dr. Davis chose to assess the situation from her seat, hoping to offer assistance if needed.
Moments later, the situation deteriorated, prompting the flight attendant to request any medical professionals on board to identify themselves. Dr. Davis raised her hand, only to be told by the attendant, “Oh no, sweetie, put your hand down. We are looking for actual physicians or nurses.” Dr. Davis attempted to explain her qualifications but was repeatedly interrupted.
A second announcement requested that physicians press their overhead buttons for help, prompting Dr. Davis to do so while glaring at the flight attendant. To her surprise, the attendant then asked for proof of her credentials. “What type of doctor are you? Where do you work? Why were you in Detroit?” were among the questions fired at her, despite an emergency situation unfolding.
Another passenger, a white male doctor, approached and identified himself as a physician, at which point the attendant ignored Dr. Davis and focused on him, even though he had not provided any credentials. Fortunately, the patient began responding to questions, leading to a slight improvement.
In an unexpected turn of events, the flight attendant later asked Dr. Davis for her input on the patient’s care. Despite feeling frustrated by the earlier interactions, Dr. Davis chose to assist in monitoring the patient, showcasing her professionalism in a challenging situation. Even after the flight attendant apologized and offered her SkyMiles as compensation, Dr. Davis declined, stating, “I don’t want SkyMiles in exchange for blatant discrimination.”
She firmly believed that the treatment she received was rooted in discrimination based on race, age, or gender, and she was determined to ensure accountability for the incident.
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Conclusion
In summary, the incident on the Delta flight serves as a reminder of the biases that can sometimes obstruct qualified individuals from providing critical help. Dr. Davis’s experience highlights the need for awareness and change in how we respond to medical professionals in urgent situations.