Black History Month Stories

31/10/2025

This Black History Month 2025, marks the theme of Standing Firm in Power and Pride.

In our last edition for Black History Month, we share two personal accounts from Dr. Phaedra Rampersad and Dr. Takura Razemba who teach us the importance of acknowledging the Windrush generation and how to use resilience to combat the trials that may arise.  

Firstly, Dr. Phaedra Rampersad has shared a brief story with us about the importance of recognising the history of the black medical staff who arrived years ago and the lessons to be learned from their resilience.  

‘It is very empowering to see Black History Month not go unnoticed by the RCEM. I am originally from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and I am very proud to carry on the legacy that my predecessors from the Windrush generation began in the NHS. Many of them came from humble beginnings seeking to find a better life not for themselves but for their families back in the Caribbean. They were faced with many injustices but in true Caribbean spirit, they were resilient, and  in turn, they taught us to be resilient in times of despair. My national anthem ends with these words, “here every creed and race find an equal place and may God bless our nation.” I hope to see that same sentiment reflected in the NHS and by extension all of the United Kingdom.’ 

Our last blog is written by Dr Takura Razemba, who guides us through his journey within Emergency Medicine and explains how having to find his own rhythm helped him better his skills as a clinician. 

This blog has been edited down. 

‘I began my medical career in Zimbabwe, convinced I was going to be a neurosurgeon. It sounded precise, noble, and beautifully complex; the kind of medicine that made sense to a younger version of me, who believed every problem had an elegant, anatomical solution. Then came life, hospitals without MRI scanners, and the realisation that medicine was less about perfection and more about persistence. 

My path eventually led me to Opuwo, where I worked in the private sector as a general practitioner. However, I soon realised the help was needed in the government hospital’s emergency department, where I volunteered. Patients often arrived after long journeys, sometimes having travelled for hours in the back of pickup trucks. Resources were limited, yet the urgency was constant. Those experiences taught me to think broadly, act decisively, and improvise safely. They reminded me that even when resources are scarce, curiosity, calm and compassion can go a very long way. 

When I later moved to the UK, I expected a steep learning curve, but the real challenge wasn’t medical; it was cultural. The NHS had its own rhythm: electronic systems, multidisciplinary meetings, and carefully defined protocols. Documentation mattered as much as decision-making. The transition demanded humility; I had to unlearn habits built in a different context and relearn the language of governance, audit, and escalation. 

Before joining training, I worked as a trust grade registrar in Emergency Medicine for three years. Those years were invaluable. They gave me time to understand the system, refine my communication, and build confidence within the NHS. They also reminded me that growth often happens before titles catch up. 

I still remember my first night shift in a busy UK emergency department. The pace was familiar, but the choreography was different: more structured, less instinctive. I found myself pausing before acting, checking guidelines, ensuring every pathway was followed. It felt slower at first, but over time I began to appreciate the safety nets those systems created. 

Having once worked in environments where blood gases or CT scans were luxuries, I learnt to read subtle clinical cues. That background proved valuable when faced with diagnostic uncertainty, a reminder that technology assists but judgement leads. 

The biggest growth, though, came through people. The mentorship and generosity of colleagues helped bridge the cultural gap. I learnt to communicate in new ways: to phrase uncertainty transparently, to advocate respectfully, to seek help early. These were not signs of weakness but of maturity within a system built on collaboration. 

I’ve learnt that adaptation is not about assimilation. It’s about integration: blending old strengths with new standards. My time in Africa taught me resilience; my time in the UK taught me reflection. Together, they’ve made me a better clinician. 

Looking ahead, I hope to continue bridging worlds between pre-hospital pragmatism and critical care precision, between global and local medicine. For me, excellence in Emergency and Critical Care isn’t defined by geography or technology, but by our ability to remain steady, curious, and kind when others cannot. 

From Opuwo to the resus bay, the tools have changed, but the mission hasn’t.’ 

Read our other Black History Month posts:
Black History Month Stories: Learning to Shine – Stephen Ojo
BHM 2025: Learning from the past to direct our future