Chicago Area Health Education Center and Health & Medicine Policy research group was proud to partner again with Black Men in White Coats to put in a day of inspiration and learning for more than 300 youth, parents and teachers this past June.

Panel discusses How to Raise a Doc at the Black Men in White Coats youth summit

Research shows that Black men are increasingly less likely to attend medical school and hold careers as doctors in the United States, and this decline in the availability of Black doctors exacerbates racial disparities in access and quality of health care.

The aim of the youth summit is to raise awareness about these alarming inequities and work towards strengthening pathways for student’s interested in health fields.

Attendees participated in a range of hands-on workshops and informational panels. These activities included CPR instruction, a suturing lab, dentistry workshops, emergency preparedness workshops, and an ambulance simulator.

ABC Chicago News interviews a young participant in the Black Men in White Coats youth summit

The event was highlighted on ABC Chicago News.

The youth summit also offered panels for parents and community leaders to learn more about how to strengthen the pathway for students interested in health careers. In addition to the workshops students were able to participate in speed mentoring and networking opportunities with volunteers from educational institutions and health facilities across Chicago.