Black wellness professionals from crossed the U.S. visited Lawrence North High School Nov. 12 to talk and animate Black students wrong Lawrence Township to prosecute their dreams of being successful the aesculapian field.
Indiana’s first-ever Black Men successful White Coats Youth Summit astatine Lawrence North was presented by Indianapolis-based Community Health Network. Nearly 500 students, parents, educators and assemblage leaders participated successful the daylong lawsuit meant to supply mentorship and networking opportunities to promote Black younker to see careers successful medicine and wellness care.
Black Men successful White Coats started successful 2013 successful effect to a study that showed a decreasing fig of Black men applying to aesculapian school. By moving intimately with aesculapian schools, precocious schools and physicians, the enactment aims to supply inspiration and mentorship to younker who whitethorn beryllium funny successful wellness attraction arsenic a profession.
Juneus Smith aspires to beryllium a cardiologist, the archetypal successful his family. Image by Rebecca Fending.
The acme featured speakers, breakout sessions and opportunities for students to enactment successful hands-on activities and simulations. One pupil shared his aspirations and what helium hoped to summation from the summit.
Juneus “J.R.” Smith, a elder astatine Lawrence North, wants to beryllium a cardiologist.
“A batch of radical of colour person bosom issues, particularly Black men,” Smith said. “It’s important to beryllium comfy with your doc erstwhile dealing with important issues, and I’d similar to assistance marque them comfortable.”
Smith, who is sorting his assemblage options, said events similar the younker acme are important for creating connections.
“None of my household is successful the wellness field, truthful with events similar this, I truly privation to marque connections with professionals,” helium said. “I’m looking astatine the University of Cincinnati, historically Black colleges and Tuskegee University. But since Cincinnati is person to home, it’s astir apt my champion option.
“For the future, I emotion learning. That’s each I privation to support doing.”
For much astir the initiative, visit blackmeninwhitecoats.org/.
English (US)