Was Trying To Help Another Passenger In Distress

An African American woman doctor on a flight from Detroit to Houston says the was the target of discrimination when she attempted to help another passenger who was in medical distress.

The incident occurred a week ago Sunday. Dr. Tamika Cross was returning to Houston after attending a wedding in Detroit when a woman two rows ahead of her started "screaming" that her husband needed help, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

Dr. Cross relates the entire scenario on her facebook page, but the short version is that, when she initially tried to help, the flight attendant said ""oh no sweetie put your hand down, we are looking for actual physicians or nurses or some type of medical personnel, we don't have time to talk to you." Dr. Cross tried to convince the FA that she was a doctor, but said she was "continually cut off by condescending remarks."

Then came the announcement that a physician was needed over the plane's PA. Dr. Cross again tried to help, and was grilled by the FA about where she practiced, what kind of doctor she was, and asked to see credentials. Later, Dr. Cross says on Facebook, an older white man came up and announced he was a doctor. The FA said "thanks for your help, but he can help us and he has his credentials" even though he hasn't shown any ... he "showed up and fit the 'description of a doctor'," she writes.

But it doesn't end there. The same FA came and asked for help about 10 minutes later, which Dr. Cross provided. The FA was reportedly very apologetic, and offered Dr. Cross Skymiles after the incident, but she did not accept them.

Rather, she took her complaint to Delta corporate, which said it does not tolerate discrimination in any form, and was investigating the matter.

The paper reports that Dr. Cross, by the way, is a 4th year resident in OB GYN at the University of Texas Health System in Houston, according to the school's website. That designation means she is fully licensed to practice medicine but not completely certified in her specialty.

(Image from file)

FMI: Facebook Post