Dedicated physician demonstrates that intelligence overcomes prejudice
BY KARYN BRODSKY
What is it like to be exceptionally gifted and committed, yet dismissed by colleagues due to one’s race? Dr. Kwabena Blankson’s journey speaks volumes.
Known affectionately as “Dr. Bobo,” he is now a respected pediatrician in Dallas with a focus on adolescent health, but his path has been riddled with challenges. His parents emigrated from Ghana, West Africa, and he is the first in his family to be born in the United States. “I hold great pride in my parents; they are courageous and intelligent,” he reflects. “They arrived in America in the late 1970s with little more than their knowledge and a suitcase.” Dr. Blankson’s mother, a physician who earned a scholarship for pediatric training at Columbia University in New York, came to the U.S. ahead of the family. It was a year and a half later that Dr. Blankson’s father joined her with his older brother, who was five at the time. Shortly after, Dr. Blankson was born.
After completing her training, the family relocated to Minnesota, where Dr. Blankson’s mother pursued a master’s degree in public health, and his father continued his medical residency. They then moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where Dr. Blankson spent his formative years and considers his true home. During this time, he witnessed the relentless dedication of his parents despite facing prejudice as immigrant doctors.
Describing his childhood in Alabama during the 1980s as “interesting,” Dr. Blankson notes that, while the warmer climate was a relief from frigid Minnesota, racial tensions posed significant challenges. He recalls being one of the rare black families in their neighborhood, enduring episodes like the vandalism of their home each Halloween. With inadequate public schooling available, his parents chose to enroll him and his brother in a private school across town, where they again stood out as some of the few black students. “I vividly remember when my brother was accepted into Harvard and a classmate dismissed it as solely due to affirmative action, which was untrue,” Dr. Blankson remembers.
Amidst those struggles, his parents instilled a lasting emphasis on faith and education. “They taught us that irrespective of discrimination or racism, our intellect and kindness would always be our greatest assets,” he explains. “They encouraged us, saying, ‘Study hard and showcase your intelligence, and success will follow.’”
Heeding their advice, Dr. Blankson and his sibling embraced their identities as the children of immigrants, facing the societal confusion that accompanied it. “We appeared different and articulated our thoughts differently due to our upbringing in British-educated Ghana,” he shares. “Even something as simple as ordering food would draw curious stares.” But Blankson understands that intellectual capability and personal identity cannot be stripped away by others’ perceptions. “This realization helped me to appreciate myself and disregard distractions,” he reflects.
As he prepared for college, Dr. Blankson’s parents had exhausted their savings to support his brother’s Harvard education, leading him to join the ROTC for a scholarship. At Harvard, he not only excelled academically but also met his future wife. Balancing the demanding ROTC regimen, which involved early morning physical training, alongside his coursework, he graduated and became a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He went on to attend medical school at Yale University, ultimately serving in active duty. Completing his pediatric residency and specializing in adolescent medicine, he contributed to training residents during his decade of active service, working in various medical facilities assisting soldiers and their families.
In recent years, Dr. Blankson partnered with Dr. Susan Sugerman in her established Dallas practice. Sugerman’s Girls to Women Health and Wellness service aims to bridge the healthcare gap for transitioning girls, while Young Men’s Health and Wellness creates a supportive environment for young men. After searching for a suitable collaborator, Sugerman felt an immediate connection with Dr. Blankson, believing he would excel in this role. “His ability to connect with young people instills a sense of camaraderie; he’s seen as a mentor who understands their challenges,” she shares. This rapport has led to Dr. Blankson’s schedule being fully booked months ahead, specifically catering to the health needs of 10 to 26-year-olds.
A father of three daughters aged ten, seven, and four, Dr. Blankson states their presence keeps him grounded, aware, and filled with love. He attributes his parenting experiences to enhancing his medical practice, understanding the shared aspirations of parents—raising children who become kind and responsible adults. He emphasizes the critical role of open communication between parents and their children about challenging issues.
Dr. Blankson resides in Dallas with his wife, who co-owns a consulting firm focused on positive psychology (goodthinkinc.com). He engages in community work through her organization and volunteers with the Grant Halliburton Foundation (granthalliburton.org), dedicated to offering mental health resources to youth. He also participates in anti-bullying initiatives and awareness campaigns.
What lessons have his experiences imparted? He highlights the necessity of raising awareness to shift perspectives. “As a physician, I can challenge biases merely by living my truth,” he asserts. “I exemplify that skin color is irrelevant.”
For his tenacity and determination to demonstrate that achievement, joy, intellect, and success transcend all barriers, Rodrigosaffiliates magazine proudly awards Dr. Kwabena “Bobo” Blankson with its esteemed VIP accolade.
