Meet Melissa Bent | Pediatrician and Children’s Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Bent and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Representation and inclusivity are the values that matter most to me. Growing up, I didn’t always see people who looked like me in medicine, which can impact how young people envision their futures. It is incredibly important to me to create spaces and stories that uplift underrepresented voices and show kids, especially from diverse backgrounds, that they can achieve anything. Women make up 38% of all practicing doctors and underrepresented minorities like myself, make up less than 3%. In my book, I hope to inspire young readers to pursue their dreams without feeling limited by stereotypes by showcasing a range of women from different specialties and backgrounds

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was born in Jamaica and grew up in South Florida. I obtained my undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and graduated from Morehouse School of Medicine, one of the few historically black college and university (HBCU) medical schools. I graduated from the University of California San Francisco in Pediatrics and went to UW Madison for Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopedics, combining my love for kids and orthopedics. I am a pediatrician who specializes in clinical, nonsurgical orthopedics. I am one of less than 40 doctors in this medical specialty. I am truly gifted to be able to care for infants to young adults with congenital and developmental orthopedic conditions.

I have had many challenges. I am a first-generation immigrant who is a college and medical school graduate. It was difficult to navigate the system but I was lucky to have teachers who believed in me and my potential. I was born with clubfoot, a congenital orthopedic condition that limited my own mobility and I now take care of babies and children with this condition. I did a post-baccalaureate program after college to increase my GPA. As a black woman, I am used to being the only or one of few in the spaces I have been privileged to be in.

My daughter is 3 years old and I want her to have all career options to pursue her dreams available. Women make up less than half of all practicing doctors and women of color, especially Black and Latina women make up less than 3%. As a doctor, patients and families often share their stories. Story telling is intrinsic to medicine and inspired me to become a story teller myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It is truly a gift to live in a city where millions of people all over the world come to visit. If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles for a week, I’d want them to see LA the way I love it: vibrant neighborhoods, incredible food, eclectic culture, and hidden spots that make this city unforgettable. Here’s how I’d plan out the ultimate LA adventure, with a mix of iconic landmarks and places only the locals know. From rooftop cocktails downtown to peaceful gardens in Pasadena, beach sunsets, and lively music venues, they’d leave with a true sense of why LA is so enchanting, and why there’s nowhere else quite like it. A morning hike at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, climbing the famous Culver City Stairs to a viewpoint that offers breathtaking views from downtown LA to the Pacific, brunch at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood, a drive to Bruce’s Beach in Manhattan Beach, with an important history for a picnic and relaxing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people to thank for this chapter in my life. My partner and illustrator, Ben Minikwu, for bringing the characters and vision to life. My friends, colleagues, and family were gracious beta readers. The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for providing a supportive community and providing insight that shaped this book. Most importantly, I thank all the children and families who have opened their hearts to bringing the “ABCS of Women in Medicine” into their world.

Website: https://melissabentmd.com

Instagram: @melissabentmd