Sophie Balzora, MD, FACG
@SophieBalzoraMD
Followers
8K
Following
25K
Media
1K
Statuses
13K
GI doc. ABGH Prez. #DiversityinGI cofounder. #DEI Cmte Chair, ACG. Alum @Princeton|@GWSMHS|@ColumbiaMed|@nyugrossman. Mom|Wife|🇭🇹|Marathoner. #BlackinGastro
she/her(s)
Joined April 2013
It’s about that time to officially celebrate the addition of yours truly to the 0.8% of #Blackwomeninmedicine full professorship, y’all. -@nyugrossman . #diversityingi.#blackwomeninmedicine
139
93
1K
"Black women’s hair is 2.5x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. Because of this, 2/3 of Black women change their hair for a job interview. nearly half (44%) of Black women under 34 feel pressured to have a headshot with straight hair." .#WomensHistoryMonth #blackhair
90
1K
4K
My dad has called me a professor since I was little. Now I can actually claim that title for real!.Excited to now carry the title of Professor Balzora in the Dept of Medicine at @nyugrossman! Whoopwhoop!🙏🏿.
171
111
2K
My 4yo innocently said this drawing is of a monster, but I swear all I see is a pancreas…is it just me?
183
69
2K
When I saw these two tweets, I did a double take. And then I just thought abt how much these two need to be celebrated. We love to see it! .Good luck, future Drs. Kyle & Kendall Lewis! #Medtwitter is excited to see where you take ur careers! #blackmeninmedicine #FMrevolution
25
151
1K
Ladies - how many of you put exclamations in your work emails to seem less threatening and more approachable and why do I keep doing this!.
98
49
1K
Me: (enters exam room w/white coat) Hello.Patient (same age bracket): Hello, Honey.Me: (extending my hand for handshake) My name is Dr. Balzora.Patient: (returns handshake) Oh, Hello Honey.Me: Before we continue, please don't call me Honey. Damn, that felt GOOD!.#WomenInMedicine.
40
44
1K
Me: OK. Let’s time out. Nurse: Since when do you guys do a time out without the attending?.Fellow: She IS the attending!.Nurse: Ooooooh! Sorry!. Trainees can make the BEST upstanders! ❤️. Grateful for it.
20
30
1K
When @choo_ek speaks, we listen. 🙏🏾 to you & @ChrisCuomo for reminding the public that healthcare workers suffer from #mentalhealth issues too, esp during these times. The stigma needs to be lifted. #MentalHealthAwareness
70
136
873
I just learned that there is a ‘Parents Against Miralax’ FB group. There is indeed a lid for every pot….
62
22
906
Patient: Wow. You're beautiful. If I were 20 years younger, I'd want you to really hurt me. Me: (Deadpan. Silent.). Patient: Why aren't you laughing? I can't make you laugh?. 🚨File this under: Things u must learn how to respond to that they don't teach in med school. #meded 🚨.
66
45
681
@uche_blackstock @MSNBC @CNN This is terrifying, Uche. Please be safe. Thank you for continuing to speak publicly about the dire need for health equity in these times, despite these vicious trolls trying to suppress your voice. This is 2020.
1
17
258
Performed about 40+ procedures this week, and only 3 of those were on men. Women seek out women GIs!. As the new academic year starts, we need the IM residents to know - we need more women to join us! .👩🏽⚕️👩🏻⚕️👩🏾⚕️👩🏼⚕️👩🏿⚕️. #medtwitter .#academictwitter .#diversityinGI.
12
29
338
3AM case. ID clearly visible. I introduce myself to patient. Fellow gives me assessment/plan. ED nurse present. ED nurse: You’re the nurse escort’g the patient?.Me: I’m the attending escort’g the patient. ED nurse: Oh, well you’re wearing scrubs.Me: 🤔.#genderbias #implicitbias.
26
16
270
When your department honors your accomplishments, you celebrate! 🎉 .Promoted to Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at @nyuschoolofmed. Whoopwhoop!. #DiversityinGI #WhatADoctorLooksLike #BlackWomeninMedicine #MinoritiesinMedicine .#WomeninMedicine
46
7
292
Cheers to patients no longer looking me up online and thinking they’re scheduled to see a 14 y.o. doctor! . Bye bye Doogie Howser! 👋🏾 .Belated #TenYearChallenge.
19
1
268
I knew this man had been a front-runner, but I didn’t know he was an actual #runner!. Pretty cool to have spotted him in #CentralPark this AM! Here’s to stayin’ cool on this hot humid day, @PeteButtigieg! 🤟🏾. #HappyPride!.#pride .📷: @washingtonpost
7
27
233
As one-of-not-enough #blackwomeninmedicine, a working mom, wife, 1st gen #HaitianAmerican & @AmCollegeGastro PR Chair, here’s to kicking off our #DiversityinGI campaign! Join us in sharing why #diversityandinclusion benefits the field of GI. #SoMeDocs #MedEd #medtwitter
13
46
251
Our endoscopy suite today: anesthesiologist, endo tech, and GI at your service! All #braidedup! 🤎. #blackwomeninmedicine.#diversityingi
14
15
271
Imagine being a Black or brown patient of this health care ‘professional’, or a URIM trainee or medical student who requires a grade or evaluation from this person who describes the formal incorporation of #DEI competencies into medicine as the ‘destruction of American medicine.’
17
35
246
@ShainaLipa ‘As the first black woman surgeon to be hired by any Harvard-affiliated orthopedic department…’ - just wow. Huge kudos to you, sis. We’re in 2021 and sentences are still starting this way. We’ve come a long way but have so far to go….
1
8
218
#Colorectalcancer is the 2nd leading #cancer killer in the U.S. But it doesn’t have to be. Check out this PSA from gastroenterologists across the nation, & share widely w/friends, family, & your patients. 💙
11
114
203
". the study found, more than a quarter of Black Californians avoid medical care simply because they believe they will be treated unfairly.". Black patients adjust behavior to reduce chance of #discrimination in #health care settings, survey finds
1
111
194
@chrisharnick @nbcsvu @warrenleightTV @SVUWritersRoom @JulieMartinSVU @Mariska Holding Liv, our fierce heroine whom we love, accountable is probably one of the realist moments on TV drama in modern days. Impressed, @nbcsvu. If only life imitated art these days. #SVU22.
1
23
188
Where's the riot gear?.Where's the tear gas?.Where's the bullets and buttons?. The privilege of a lighter shade is clear and evident.
11
27
172
Me (to patient & his wife): I’d like to review the procedure w/you. Wife: So you’re the one doing the procedure?.Me: Yes. Patient’s wife: That’s cute. Are you sure you’re a doctor?.Me: 100%. #microaggressionsinmedicine.#implicitbias.#medtwitter #meded.
24
20
189
I know getting a brand-spankin’ new #vaccine may be scary, and I know it may seem just a bit too fast, but #COVID19 hit this world like a damn tsunami. We cannot let it ravage our communities, our friends & families, & our neighbors anymore. Proud to be #BlackandVaccinated.
7
28
173
Because lots of folks are now asking…. In short, please don’t let this NEJM study deter you from undergoing a potentially life-changing screening procedure, folks. Get your #colonoscopy, dang it!.
6
36
180
"You're overly ambitious."."You don't have the personality to be a surgeon."."Don't wear your engagement ring or talk about wanting children.". IDK who needs to hear this: STOP👏🏾discouraging👏🏾women👏🏾from👏🏾pursuing👏🏾procedural👏🏾fields!. #medtwitter #IWD2020
4
42
173
Truly grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the field of GI in this way, & humbled to work with this incredibly talented team! . #meded #GITwitter #DiversityinGI #BlackWomeninMedicine #MondayMotivation
35
7
180
It’s #DressInBlueDay!. Looking forward to seeing a sea of blue today in solidarity with #colorectalcancer warriors, survivors, & friends and family affected by this #cancer. 💪🏾 💙. #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth.
4
23
172
Couples who prep & get screened together stay together. 😍. LOVED this adorable husband & wife duo who had their screening colonoscopies back 2 back. They’ve taken charge of their health, & were happy 2 share their experience on SoMe!🙌🏾.#coloncancerscreening .#screeningsaveslives
6
27
155
On #FF, sending a big TY to all who’ve followed me, & whom I’ve learned from. As a Black woman gastroenterologist, I’m here to empower, amplify, & support those who believe that #HerTimeisNow, that #BLM, & that #healthequity, & #DEI in #meded are priorities. Who’s with me?
11
27
146
Still can't believe I'll have the privilege of giving @NYCHealthSystem/Lincoln DOM Grand Rounds, a place where my dad has spent countless, selfless decades (including during COVID!) caring for so many as a primary care doc. It's truly an honor. (🙏🏾now, v deservingly, retired!).❤️
13
8
153
Grateful to be the 1st of what will be many voices valued on @NatRevGastroHep's World Views to offer insight on my experiences & hopes as a Black woman physician in academia. Much❤️to @illustrationblk for the beautiful graphic. #BlackWomeninMedicine
15
53
149
YES! Huge TY to @CSiriano for providing these fabulous masks to our @nyulangone @BellevueHosp GI family! We’re so grateful. And HUGE HT to fellow extraordinarie, Dr. @MaureenWhitsett, for leading the charge in getting ‘em for us! 🙌🏾🙏🏾 #COVIDGI #COVID19 #NotTodayCovid @BravoTV.
Many thanks to @CSiriano for providing the gastroenterology division @nyulangone @BellevueHosp with these beautiful masks. @MarkPochapin @SophieBalzoraMD @mattmc0714 @MaureenWhitsett
2
7
129
@oni_blackstock It's unclear whether the condescension of her privileged and ignorance utterances are worse, or the audience's applause in the moment. Venus' graciousness and awkward smile seal the deal for me tho. We all know what she's thinking behind that strained half smile.
3
6
117
@jbullockruns RN full or last name; NP full or last name; PA full or last name. Traditionally this is how I document and do not use first names. As I'm sure you've also experienced, ppl are more apt to call me by my 1st name (or worse), so I prefer to keep it formal, at least in this context.
5
1
121
@ShawnteJamesMD Exactly this. ‘Tasers look and feel different from pistols in a number of ways, and most police forces — including Brooklyn Center’s — have standard precautions and protocols in place to prevent the sort of mix-up that can be deadly.’
1
26
120
All dolled up for my annual #mammogram. Did you know that women should start getting their routine mammos at age 40? #Breastcancer rates are ⬆️ in younger folks, and mortality rates among #Blackwomen sadly remain persistently high. #TheMoreYouKnow 🫶🏿
8
15
137
Grateful for the opportunity to showcase the importance of #CrohnsAndColitisAwarenessWeek on @GMA & the critical work of @colorofcci & @blackingastro in the #IBD space for Black & brown communities. Bringing #healthequity to the forefront is 🔑! 💜🤎.#blackingastro #diversityingi
8
28
143
.Dr. Sayde Curry: the 1st African American woman to become a gastroenterologist in the US. Absolutely indebted to this woman as we celebrate #NationalWomenPhysiciansDay. #BlackHistoryMonth2021 .#BlackWomeninMedicine .#BlackWomenLead .#meded #MedTwitter
2
30
128
@IEMcElroy The disturbing replies/QTs using these empty seats as validation that these vital topics are unimportant or steeped in ‘reverse racism’ are the reason y, when ppl say, ‘OK. We get it. DEI & health equity are important. Blah blah blah. Enough already’, we need to push back. Hard.
74
5
111
@keithboykin I'm most impressed with this journalist who keeps her professionalism during this jester's pathetic, twisted performance.
0
0
85
Couldn’t resist taking this pic between procedures this morning. Thank you again to @MarkPochapin & @AmCollegeGastro for this incredible honor. I am indeed #ProudtoBeACG! . (I am indeed smiling under this 😷!). #DiversityinGI.#BlackWomeninMedicine .#MedEd
17
4
117
@alohabrooke @chrissyfreeMD This is how this type of behavior gets perpetuated & normalized. A 1:1 is an ill-advised, inappropriate response. & ensures this type of unacceptable and discriminatory behavior will persists. This is more than a ‘mistake’ or ‘miscommunication.’ It’s 2022. It needs to 🛑. Now.
4
2
95
My walks to work are now complete with a message that is loud and clear: #HerTimeIsNow. 👩🏾⚕️ . #WomenInMedicine .#WomenInSTEM .#BlackWomeninMedicine
5
17
106
It's the end of an era!. It was a privilege to serve as the @AmCollegeGastro PR Committee Chair for 3 yrs. A great opportunity to learn, grow, & collaborate w/in the College, & the broader field of GI. And importantly, I ran away with this snazzy mask!✌️🏾. #DiversityInGI
15
3
108
A day full of scopes is no better time to rock @blackingastro gear to remind people of the importance of #colorectalcancer screening!. #scopingmondays.#MondayMotivation .#blackingastro .#blackwomeninmedicine
1
16
99
Excited for what hopes to be the first of many for ABGH!. #ABGHSummit23 starts with The B.I.G. Symposium 2023: Heath equity at the Forefront, followed by our community education event, Bustin’ A Gut. Welcome to Chi City! . #blackingastro #meded #DDW2023
7
9
106
Disgusted, but not surprised. Sick, but not surprised.
1
7
93
7
5
101
Hearing ‘Black Lives Matter’ chanted outside my apartment window while baby girl asks, ‘You hear that sound?!’. Yes, baby, I do. 🙏🏾. #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeforGeorgesFloyd.
0
10
98
I am ECSTATIC about what’s about to go down tonight. It’s Friday night, and it’s about that time. The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists is HERE! . #blackingastro.
We’re thrilled to introduce #medtwitter to ABGH, the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists, founded in 2021. To find out more about us, our mission, and our vision, check out our site #BlackinGastro.#BlackHistoryMonth
10
6
97
Posted with permission and pride! . #Love in the most sincere form: making sure your better half does everything they can to achieve their best #health! . His and hers #colorectalcancer screenings! . This adorable couple’s biggest #colonoscopy day debate? Who had the better prep!
3
9
93
#AboutLastNight…. ABGH (@blackingastro) celebrated its 2nd in-person networking event as a nonprofit org. We’re so humbled by how far we’ve come, and how our family continues to grow! We thank our current (& future!) members, allies, & supporters! 🙏🏾. #blackingastro at #DDW2022
5
14
95
Just two @nyulangone #Blackwomeninmedicine professors mixing business with pleasure to ensure the future is bright and full of opportunity in medicine well beyond our years for those who look like us…🙏🏾. 🤎 ❤️🖤.#diversityingi .#blackingastro
3
10
96
On my walk to work this morning, was pleased to see the Naked Cowboy alive & well (& w/mask) in these streets. Some things in #NYC just haven’t changed.
7
2
86
It’s almost showtime!. @MarkPochapin & I are in Philly to discuss #colorectalcancer awareness & prevention on @katiecouric’s #GoingThere Book Tour!. Incredible to see how she uses her platform over & over again to spread the critical message: Screening saves lives!
6
11
80
#GoodMorningAmerica!. Tune in TOMORROW AM to hear from @colorofcci Founder/President, @mustbthemusic (Melodie Narain-Blackwell), and me on #GMA as we talk abt #IBD and the work of COCCI & ABGH (@blackingastro) during #CrohnsAndColitisAwarenessWeek!. #blackingastro #diversityingi
10
18
86
@Singh011Jaspal @joshmcgoo Exactly re: the latter point, sadly. It was the first thing I thought of with Josh’s question. These are the permutations and considerations that consistently run through some folks’ heads based off of lives experiences we dread to have repeated….
1
1
82
The #ACG2022 Leadership Dinner was no fun. 🤣 . Love these #blackingastro women powerhouses! ❤️ 🤎
6
6
86
There’ve been some truly horrific acts of racial violence in my short lifetime, but to live thru the 1st Black presidency, vote for the winning 1st Black VP & woman, & witness the confirmation of the 1st Black woman confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice are unbelievable gifts. 🥲.
1
3
80
It’s almost showtime! @GMA!! Go @colon_survivor! Looking beautiful and powerful as ever in blue! And if you could only see her fabulous shoes!!. #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth.
6
9
83
‘Though I may be the first woman in this office, I will NOT be the last.’ -@KamalaHarris . Preach!.
3
4
78
Ending #DDW2022 with a fantastic night at the @sdmaritime for the @AmerGastroAssn Institute Presidential Reception with old friends and new was a highlight of a great meeting!
5
6
85
"Wait. The highest score is 9 and I got a 9 out of 9?! Yes! I'm so competitive. YES!" -screams (literally screams) my patient in the endo suite after revealing her colonoscopy prep was excellent and rates perfect on the BBPS. I love this #colorectalcancerscreening enthusiasm!.
6
2
79
If u ever rocked any of these looks, it's about that time. ✅>50 yrs old?.✅>45 & of African descent?.✅Family history of colorectal.cancer?.✅Family history of ovarian or endometrial #cancer?.✅Carry a diagnosis of #IBD?. Talk to ur doc to #getscreened for #colorectalcancer!
8
22
75
It’s #DressInBlueDay, @Twitter! . Share pics of yourself, colleagues, friends, & fam in blue as we all stand in solidarity w/ #ColorectalCancer survivors & all who’ve been affected by this #cancer. And of course, #strongarmselfies r encouraged!. #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth
3
13
74
Another weekend call trying to understand why FOBT is routinely ordered for patients presenting w/overt GI bleeding. 🤦🏾♀️ #StopTheMadness. #GITwitter #meded #medtwitter
11
6
71
Bummed I couldn't present @AmCollegeGastro/LGS Regional Postgrad Course, 'The Do's and Dont's of Social Media: A Gastroenterologist's Guide', in person. But the next best thing? A webinar! Grateful for the opportunity. Check out some slides I pulled from the talk! #medtwitter
4
14
78
I also want 2 grow our #GITwitter community, esp w/ trainees, #medstudents, APPs, & patients! #Diversityandinclusion in #meded is vital IRL, & on #medtwitter, #academictwitter, #nursetwitter, & SoMe. Drop ur name & s/o else's, & introduce urselves! . #DiversityinGI #FollowFriday.
27
11
78
When you’re carrying a boatload of 🎈for your daughter’s 2nd bday party that no one is invited to b/c of #COVID19, but you spot @BillMurray, fully #MaskUp, & he wishes her a happy bday celebration!. I ❤️ NY!
12
2
72
Happy Friday, #academictwitter and #medtwitter. To historically excluded groups doing that important #DEI work to further excellence in their institutions and other professional spaces, don't let that #minoritytax consume you.
2
15
73
Currently, ~5% of US physicians are Black. Medical schools see record enrollment increase among Black students. ‘…across the country, the number of first-year Black [medical] students is up 21%, an unprecedented spike since 2020.’ .#blackinmedicine.
4
5
76
"She recalled that one of her professors, who wanted to compliment her, told her, “Margaret, you don’t even seem like a Negro — you fit in so well.”' #BlackWomeninMedicine #womeninmedicine.
5
25
64
TGIF, Twitter Fam!. 🙏🏾 immensely to new followers on this platform! . For those who don’t know me, I’m one-of-not-enough #Blackwomeninmedicine, a GI, & here to make #DEI a topic on the front of everyone involved in #healthcare’s minds. I’m here for the marathon that is this work.
1
7
73
BEYOND THRILLED to intro the 1st annual @AmCollegeGastro #DiversityinGI Virtual 5K!. 🏃🏾♀️Support the ACG Summer Scholars Mentorship Program.🏃🏻♀️Get fit/have fun w/family & friends.🏃🏿♀️Be a champion of #DEI in GI. Register: #virtualrace .#running.#ACG2020
9
17
73
Irrespective of wearing a white coat, scrubs, or warm cozy fleece, #womenphysicians are perceived as less professional & less likely to be properly identified as #physician. We need to rigorously scrutinize what ‘professionalism’ means in #medicine.
2
23
72
Getting excited for some Cali fun in the sun and to get my learn on at @DDWMeeting in a few months!. Who's in for #DDW2022?.
15
1
77
Surround yourself with powerhouses like these two ladies beside me and leave #ACG2023 inspired! ❤️. @NeenaSAbrahamMD @DrR_Williams . At the @AmCollegeGastro Leadership Dinner. #ACGFamily. #diversityingi.#blackingastro
1
6
75
Finally! My very own Patagonia jacket like all the cool kids have! This is my July 1 joy. 🤣. Hoping this is my ticket to being recognized as a physician more often than any other hospital staff I’m more commonly mistaken for moving forward! We’ll see! . #Blackwomeninmedicine
2
0
68
Does anyone have trouble listening to their own voice on podcast or radio, or is it just me? Can't bring myself to do it!.
19
3
66
Exciting 1st day seeing patients at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center @nyulangone! A beautiful space to treat patients w/#IBD, providing multidisciplinary care under 1 roof!. 👏🏾 to directors @DavidHudesmanMD, @FezaRemziMD & the entire IBD crew in making this dream a reality!
1
3
65
A GI paper causing a lot of chatter on other platforms. As some colleagues have pointed out, the demographic of the study population in which NPs receive their #colonoscopy training to gain competence is noteworthy: nearly 75% of the population was Black. #GITwitter - thoughts?
15
10
66
@choo_ek @drfolamay: My colleague, friend, & staunch advocate for #healthequity and closing the gap on health disparities in #colorectalcancer. Tho I'll say there are MANY #Blackwomeninmedicine to satisfy this answer, Dr. Choo! Thanks for amplifying our voices! #DiversityinGI.
3
3
56
This meeting, #ACG2021, has absolutely confirmed the idea that you can forge true friendships that begin on #medtwitter. Encourage your colleagues & trainees to engage on #some to reap the benefits of camaraderie & the growth of their networks, personal & professional.
3
14
67