As Chief of Cardiology at Harlem Hospital Center, Dr. Fergus sees stress, poverty and discrimination as playing important roles in the health of African Americans. Her professional pathway took her from the research labs of Columbia to the streets of Harlem where the neediest members of the community seek her help in treating and preventing chronic diseases. Here she tells us how she got started in her field and wound up working in Harlem.
Q: How did you come to a career in cardiology?
A: I went to Barnard College and thought I'd like to work in the psychology or psychiatry field, until I started working at St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital's obesity lab doing research on obese rats. We were trying to understand what contributed to people becoming obese. After college, while trying to figure out whether I should get an MD or a PhD, I started a work-study job at Columbia Medical Center. I worked in the cardiac pathophysiology lab studying how to treat heart attacks in dogs. After that, I spent time in another laboratory doing research with rats. These experiences helped me realize that I really wanted to work with people-not animals. That's when I made my decision to go to medical school and study cardiology.
Q: How did you wind up working at Harlem Hospital Center?
A: I had a courtship with the administration at Harlem Hospital Center for quite some time. The hospital was in danger of losing the cardiology division. Many people in the community, especially women, suffer from heart disease at higher rates than the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Washington Heights. I knew that if I worked here in the community I would be able to do more to help directly. I wanted to be a voice for the community and an advocate. I have been at Harlem Hospital since 2007.
