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We’re so excited to introduce you to Dr. Justin Young, the lead MD at our newest clinic in Pasadena and the resident doc in Echo Park! Dr. Young took a few minutes out of his busy day to sit down and talk about all things health, healthcare and being a role model for future generations of minority doctors.
Carbon Health: How did you first hear about Carbon Health?
Dr. Justin Young: I live in Echo Park and was walking by that Carbon Health location one day. They were just opening and I thought to myself, “Hey, this is an urgent care in my neighborhood!” I had been looking for some shifts and thought it would be better to walk to work then drive and get stuck in LA traffic so I figured I should check them out.
CH: So you literally walked in?
JY: (laughs) Yeah, basically. I chose Carbon and Carbon chose me. It’s been quite the relationship.
CH: Tell me about your home bases aka the Pasadena and Echo Park locations.
JY: They’re such fun spaces and patients really seem to love them. I mean who wouldn’t? You’re not walking into a dingy, dark, cold space. You’re walking into a warm space where you feel like you’re going to get the care that you need. You feel better the moment you walk in the door.
CH: What initially drew you to medicine?
JY: Honestly, it’s always been part of who I am. I’ve always been responsive to and willing to help others.
CH: Where did you go to school?
JY: I went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for undergrad. I was student body president and have always been really involved with volunteering and working with others. I went to Meharry Medical College, a historically Black medical school in Nashville, and trained at Emory. I worked in Atlanta before moving to Los Angeles six years ago.
CH: What does Black History Month mean to you in the context of healthcare?
“Being a Black, gay physician and doctor is something that is incredibly special to me and it’s really empowering to see the reaction on patients faces when I walk in the door, particularly when I see young parents with their children of color.”
JY: …being a Black, gay physician and doctor is something that is incredibly special to me and it’s really empowering to see the reaction on patients faces when I walk in the door, particularly when I see young parents with their children of color…especially young, Black kids…knowing they see my face and the accumulated hopes and dreams and successes that come along with that. I’m just one person but my being here represents so much more than just me. It sends a shock wave and it sends a powerful message of hope to a lot of different people. It’s very humbling that just by walking in the door, I’m making an impact.
CH: Do you feel an extra sense of pressure?
JY: It’s something I absolutely can’t take for granted. It’s something I have to be mindful of, knowing I represent the Black doctors that came before me and the Black doctors that will come after me and that’s vital. We’re still in the minority when it comes to the medical field and that’s a problem. There are still significant health disparities we need to eliminate and focus on. Being in an environment like this, being in a setting like this, being in healthcare, to me, this is Black history.
CH: Who was your role model growing up?
JY: My biggest role model was my dad. He was the president of Citizens Trust Bank in Atlanta before he passed away which is one of the largest Black-owned and operated banks in the country. As I’ve grown older, I realize he did an incredible job of providing context for how I navigate through life now. It definitely helps to shape who I am and how I treat other people. It gives me perspective on leadership and also the sacrifices you make for family and how you prioritize what’s important to you.
CH: Why do you think tech is so vital for the future of healthcare?
JY: The tech side of Carbon is really an opportunity for us to perform and revolutionize healthcare. Healthcare and medicine are changing in phenomenal ways. This is our way to provide that reliable, quality, world-class healthcare to everyone. Not to mention the types of access we can provide by having an internet connection or a cell phone. It allows us to venture into communities that didn’t necessarily have that access before.
“The tech side of Carbon is really an opportunity for us to perform and revolutionize healthcare. Healthcare and medicine are changing in phenomenal ways. This is our way to provide that reliable, quality, world-class healthcare to everyone.”
CH: How has Carbon’s technology made your job easier?
JY: I think the beauty of the app is that it allows the patient to be engaged and involved before they even come in the door. It also makes things easier for me as a doctor because I’m able to respond and make that connection before someone comes in. Instead of having to sign off on a stack of papers you can input your information at your convenience. When you come in we can get you right in the room, get you what you need and you on your way home!
CH: Let’s talk about work/life balance. Why is this especially important for doctors?
JY: Work/life balance is SO important. Not only am I engaging more with my patients thanks to Carbon’s seamless tech, but I also have more quality time with my family and friends. You can’t care for others well if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
CH: What do you like to do in your free time?
JY: I write a little bit and I’m actually a budding filmmaker.
CH: What do you love most about being a doctor?
JY: For me, being a doctor is the closest you can get to being a real-life superhero. I don’t take it for granted when I walk in the door and walk into a room to see a patient. Some days may be busy, some days might be hard but when it comes down to opening that door and walking in to see that patient, my attention is fully on helping that patient get the care they need.
Liked what you read? Learn more by downloading the Carbon Health app or visiting carbonhealth.com.
