Spotlight: Dayle Davenport, MD

Dayle Davenport, MD

Assistant Dean, Diversity and Inclusion, Undergraduate Medical Education Recruitment and Retention

Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine

Dayle Davenport, MD completed her Medical Doctorate Degree at Harvard Medical School and Emergency Medicine Residency at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Davenport joined the Rush Department of Emergency Medicine in July of 2008 and has been actively involved in the department and medical center with particular focus on service and medical education. Starting in her first year, she acted as a Clinical Instructor for medical students, residents and other health care professionals in various courses. As a result, she was offered a position as a Clinician Educator for first and second year Rush Medical College students. In her first year of teaching, she had the distinction of being ranked 2nd out of 30 Clinician Educators by the medical students for the 2019-2020 school year. She has also been an advisor and mentor to numerous residents and students and was consequently selected to be a Faculty Advisor for the Peck Advisory Group. She has been particularly active in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the medical center, regionally, and nationally and serves as the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion for Rush Medical College. Service has been the cornerstone of Davenport’s life for as long as she can remember, particularly for underserved and underrepresented communities. As an African American woman, she has always sought opportunities to give back to her community, especially for the youth.

Tell us about your background before becoming the phenomenal doctor that you are today. What or who inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?

My parents each independently immigrated from Grenada, a small country in the West Indies and met each other in New York. They have been married for over 40 years and I have an older brother and younger sister (9 years younger!) Growing up, I had severe asthma and eczema and my mother used to call the emergency department at Kings County Hospital our second home. When I was nine, we moved to the suburbs of Long Island and it was jarring how different the care I received from two hospitals separated by a mere 30 minutes. At that time, I was too young to understand health care disparities or the social determinants of health, but I remember feeling compelled to be a part of the solution.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career in medicine?

Volunteer or shadow in a hospital or community clinic to get exposure to health care and explore the variety of jobs that exist. Be inquisitive and ask people what they like and don’t like about their job. Find mentors who inspire and encourage you, but also keep you accountable.

Would you please tell us a fun fact about yourself?

My father took my brother and I downhill skiing for the first time when I was 9 years old. I don’t ski as often as I would like but I try to get to Colorado, Lake Tahoe, or Park City every other year. I have a 7-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son and they just started ski lessons. I am also an avid tennis fan and attended the US Open and Australian Open. I am hoping to get to the French Open and Wimbledon soon. Go Rafa!!!!