One Alumna’s Journey to Becoming a Rare Woman of Color in Gastroenterology (Barnard College)

Pascale White, MD, traces her path from Barnard biology major to director of Health Equity in Action for Liver and Digestive Diseases at Mount Sinai. Inspired by her early academic foundations and medical training at NYU and Sloan Kettering, she pursued gastroenterology despite the field’s low representation of women (35%) and Black physicians (fewer than 5%). Today, she leads initiatives to expand access to colorectal cancer screening, mentors the next generation, and champions equity in digestive health — carrying Barnard’s ethos of “bold pursuit” throughout her career.