They’ve been giving back for the last two decades!
Identical twin sister doctors are bringing quality healthcare and COVID-19 awareness to their Philadelphia community, People reports. Dr. Delana Wardlaw and her identical twin sister, Dr. Elana McDonald, were just eight years old when their grandmother died of breast cancer at 53. As they got older, they began to evaluate the factors that led to their grandmother’s premature death. The two noted a lack of quality health care in their Philadelphia community as a primary culprit. That’s when the two decided they would change that reality for the next generation, and chose to become doctors. After they graduated from Central High School, they attended Temple University and Penn State’s College of Medicine.
“I wanted to enter a profession where I could make a long-term difference in people’s lives,” McDonald, who became a pediatrician.
For the last 20 years, the two have been adamant about giving back to the residents of Philadelphia, building rapport with their patients, and spreading awareness about issues pertinent to the community. Wardlaw, who became a family practitioner, said the trust between them and the community is essential and spoke on how they encourage residents to become “active advocates” for their health.
“Our goal was to make sure people in underserved areas are getting the best health care possible. We want to educate as much as we can…We understand that it’s very important for people to feel comfortable with those who are giving them medical information. And we know based on the history in the United States, a lot of people, especially African Americans, were uncomfortable with the medical establishment,” McDonald explained.
Since the start of the pandemic, the 46-year-old twins have been focused on educating the community about COVID-19, volunteering at testing sites, and tackling vaccine hesitancy head-on. Wardlaw says their work on social media, at town halls, and on local radio shows is all for the betterment of the community.
“We are giving people the chance to ask questions…African Americans were disproportionately affected by COVID. And there is so much misinformation,” said Wardlaw.
The sisters, both of whom are married with two kids, use their personal experiences to connect with patients.
“I tell them I’ve taken the vaccine, my children have been vaccinated, and I trust the science,” said McDonald.
The sisters hope that they can continue to be active changemakers in their community and are grateful to serve the people of Philly in this way.
“We come from a community that has social challenges and economic challenges, and we are still very much a part of that community. It was integral in helping us develop into the people who we are today,” Wardlaw said.
“We’re humbled by how appreciative people are, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to give back,” McDonald added.
Thank you for your work Delana and Elana! Because of you, we can!
Photo Courtesy of News Tribune