AMDPA was driven by a critical need to provide medical care and facilities for African Americans, who were grossly underserved at the time. His legacy was immortalized on June 17th, 2023, with the dedication of a historic marker at his former residence, a testament to his indelible impact on the medical landscape of Arkansas.

Under the leadership of current President Dr. Rhonda Mattox, the AMDPA celebrates its storied past while forging a path into the future. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to combat health disparities and nurture the next generation of medical professionals within the African American community. 

Dr. Martha Flowers of Pine Bluff stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the AMDPA’s mission. With over five decades of medical service, Dr. Flowers embodies the legacy of mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy that the AMDPA holds dear. Flowers earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Martin Luther King, Jr. General Hospital in Los Angeles. Today, Dr. Flowers practices at Flowers Medical Clinic in Pine Bluff. Her dedication to community health continues the work initiated by pioneers like Dr. Thornton.

Arkansas Vitality magazine caught up with Dr. Flowers for an exclusive Q&A session.

Q: Can you share with us what inspired you to pursue a career in the medical Field? 

In 2024, the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Meharry Medical College, I am delighted to share with you a glimpse of my journey. My greatest inspiration for pursuing a medical career was my father, Dr. Cleon A. Flowers Sr., with whom I shared a medical practice for 25 years before his passing in 2002. It was a great honor in sharing a medical practice with a man who deemed serving patients was serving God. My two brothers, Dr. Cleon A. Flowers, Jr., and Dr. John A. Flowers, Sr., who were already enrolled at Meharry Medical College upon my arrival, were also an inspiration in my pursuit of a medical career.

Q: What do you consider your most significant contribution to healthcare in  Arkansas? 

Educating patients to a level of understanding and acceptance in undergoing various tests and treatments has been an achievement that I am immensely proud of. For years, I have held interactive classes in my office, mainly regarding diabetes. Patients and community members received educational information, cooking demonstrations, and instructions on how to use glucometers, inhalers, and blood pressure machines. As a result, complications and associated comorbidities have been markedly reduced in my practice.

Q: Could you describe a particular achievement in your career of which you are most proud? 

It has been a blessing and honor for me to have had the opportunity to mentor hundreds of students interested in the medical field over the decades I have practiced medicine. I have had students who have achieved greatly from junior high school all the way through medical school as well as residency.

Q: What advice would you give to young African American students aspiring to enter the medical profession? 

Those African Americans aspiring to a career in medicine must be well prepared, especially in taking standardized tests. They must read, read, read. Being aware of all requirements for admission is a must. I also encourage young people to find a passion separate from medicine because you must have balance.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as an African American in the medical field, and how did you overcome them? 

Being the first African American woman to have a private practice in my community came with many challenges. One of my biggest challenges has been the change in how health care itself has decided to place profits over patients, starting with the time constraints of seeing a patient.

Q: What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future African American medical professionals? 

Hopefully, physicians will continue to see patients as human beings who have placed their lives in their care. Physicians should continue to treat patients without regard to money or social status. I have consistently tried to model the desired behavior of a committed physician. One of my fears is that there will be a day when no one will remember that practicing medicine used to be an art but is trending towards being strictly a business. 

Q: What are your thoughts on the state of healthcare in Arkansas, especially for the African American community?

 The state of health care in Arkansas is extremely poor with our state being in the bottom tier of almost every disease category especially diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The numbers for African Americans in Arkansas are worse. It’s a well-documented fact that African American patients fare better with physicians of color; however, the challenges of practicing medicine that an African American physicians here face remains daunting.