NORFOLK, Va. — As baby boomers retire, the shortage in the medical profession is already preparing to be filled — by students of color. Virginia’s first Black Men White Coats event, held at Norfolk State University and hosted by Sentara Health, aimed to encourage young people of color, both male and female, to pursue careers in healthcare.
“Just seeing people who look like them who are physicians, hopefully that’s a beginning,” said keynote speaker Dr. Andrew Githaiga, a pulmonologist with Sentara Health, who shared his journey of emigrating from Kenya to pursue a medical career in the U.S.
Dr. Jamela Martin, associate professor and chair of nursing and allied health at Norfolk Sate, was impressed by the turnout. “The participants are particularly engaged and that’s tremendous to see on a Saturday, that all of the young people are here and are really excited about what they’re learning.”
Participants had the opportunity to practice simulations and anatomy dissections, and speed network with physicians during breakout sessions. Over 300 people attended the event which also included a panel of physicians sharing their unique journeys pursuing medical careers, while also sharing what parents can do to support their children who choose to attend medical school, nursing school, or pursue a career in the allied health professions.
The event was just one of many that will be hosted by Sentara in the near future to help students who choose to pursue medical careers. Sentara has recently invested millions in two pipeline programs that will help ensure the predicted medical professional shortage is avoided, Sentara Scholars and Project CHOICE. The programs aim to “create a pipeline for young students to their desired healthcare careers, while also positively impacting their community’s economics and health equity outcomes,” their website says.
For Dr. Gwendolyn Williams, another doctor in attendance and the first woman and only woman of color in 20 years to serve as president of Hampton’s Sentara CarePlex Hospital’s medical executive committee, the future looks bright. “They say there’s going to be a shortage of physicians. I look in this room, I don’t see a shortage.”
More details about Sentara Scholars and Project CHOICE, can be found on Sentara's website.
