Medical Students Inspire Youth During Black Men in White Coats Summit

The day-long summit, which is open to all races and genders, drew over 500 middle school and high school students, as well as parents, teachers, mentors, and community leaders. During the event, SOM students from the Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) and the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) manned hands-on stations. The SIGN students led a neurology station where students introduced the neurology exam to attendees and allowed participants to practice using reflex hammers to elicit reflexes and perform sensory exams. Many attendees also asked medical students and physicians about their experiences and reasons for going into medicine.

SOM students also worked with students and faculty from Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) to staff a dental station, introducing students to the field of dentistry as well as how to take care of their teeth. This highly important station also helped show participants how their oral health can impact their general medical health. Additional stations staffed by SNMA students included airway and oxygenation, CPR, and vital signs.

To further spark interest in neurology, prizes generously donated by the American Academy of Neurology, including penlights and reflex hammers, were raffled enabling students to continue practicing and applying what they learned beyond the event.

Established in 2013, BMWC aims to encourage and equip boys and girls from diverse backgrounds to pursue medical careers. The initiative was founded in response to an AAMC report highlighting the decreasing number of black male applicants to medical school.

"Helping coordinate the neurology station for BMWC was a wonderful experience,” said Audrey Huang, SOM Class of 2026 and SIGN president. “Engaging with so many youth eager to learn about the neurological exam and the medical field emphasized the important role mentorship plays in inspiring and empowering minority students to pursue and achieve their dreams. It was a privilege to be part of such a meaningful initiative that brings the community together, fosters diversity in medicine, and empowers the next generation of healthcare professionals."

"Discussing a different health field than my own also gave me a chance to step outside the boundaries of my usual medical curriculum and think about how oral health integrates with overall well-being," said Kyla Holbrook, SOM Class of 2027, who worked at the dental station with a TCDM student.  "Overall, this was a unique and valuable opportunity to speak with curious young minds about medicine. It was great to hear their questions and see their interests in a future career. This underscored the importance of programs like this one that involve working with other disciplines and underrepresented youth interested in the field."

“As a third-year medical student, now in my second year volunteering at BMWC, I am reminded of the power of mentorship,” said Juliet Manu, SOM Class of 2026 and member of SIGN, a past president of SNMA, and an Association of Medical Schools of New York scholarship recipient. “Bringing minority youths together to explore possibilities in medicine is just inspiring and it’s also essential. Many Black/African-American children face barriers that prevent them from even imagining a future in the field of medicine. By showing them where to begin and offering support every step of the way, we can help turn dreams into reality. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey and to witness their excitement and potential firsthand.” 

The day wrapped up with the BMWC panel, moderated by Mill Etienne, M.D.’03, M.P.H., vice chancellor of diversity and inclusion, associate dean for student affairs, and associate professor of neurology and of medicine, who has been involved with the BMWC event since its inception three years ago. Dr. Etienne previously served as a panel moderator and panelist and delivered the keynote address the first year of the program, when he shared his own path to becoming a physician. Amy Ansehl, M.S.N., D.N.P., RN, senior associate dean for student experience and  associate professor of public health in the School of Health Sciences and Practice, who has also been involved since the program’s first year, staffed an educational table at the event.

According to Michelle You, SOM Class of 2025, the students were naturals with the reflex hammer. “We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to support this event, and were equally inspired by the students as they shared their passion for science, learning, and their futures,” she said.

"Being able to volunteer and speak with students at BMWC was a fulfilling experience,” said Jarred Epps, SOM Class of 2028. “It was inspiring to see the excitement in the students attending the event and to also see how invested the physicians at the event were in mentoring students for success."