As a young person in search of health care, my goal was to find a provider where I felt understood. To me that meant someone who came from a similar background, was a woman of color, and would advocate for me and my health.

So, when I came across a Jamaican-American female gynecologist online, I thought I had found a provider that would be a great fit for me. She was a smart, middle-aged woman of color who reminded me of the strong women in my family. As I sat in the waiting room at my first appointment, I was surrounded by mothers and young women of color who shared similar experiences to mine. It felt right. At the time, I didn’t realize that there were other factors to think about when choosing a provider.

Through my experiences with this provider, I learned some key ways you can tell when you need a new provider.