Hundreds of students from Long Island and New York City gathered at Stony Brook University’s Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) on November 13 for the third annual Youth Summit. The event, organized in partnership with the university’s Black Men in White Coats chapter, aimed to inspire young people from underrepresented backgrounds to consider careers in healthcare.
More than 500 students ranging from third through twelfth grade participated in a series of workshops, panels, and mentorship sessions led by over 100 faculty, staff, and student volunteers. Activities included ultrasound demonstrations, CPR lessons, laboratory exercises, and interactive simulations designed to introduce students to various medical fields.
The summit sought to address persistent disparities in the healthcare workforce. According to organizers, only about 5.7 percent of physicians in the United States identify as Black or African American despite this group representing an estimated 12 percent of the population. The Stony Brook chapter of Black Men in White Coats was established in 2022 to encourage more diversity within medicine.
“We focus on addressing the disparity present among the physician workforce today,” said Reinaldo Powell, a second-year medical student and president of the Stony Brook chapter. “There are very few individuals who look like me in these positions. I wanted to use this opportunity to show that it is possible, and to show these students that you being here today is a testament to your intelligence, determination and resilience.”
University leaders welcomed attendees with remarks encouraging them to imagine themselves pursuing higher education and careers across different sectors of healthcare. Judith Brown Clarke, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer for Stony Brook University and Health System told students: “You belong in college classrooms, labs, research, hospitals and leadership positions... Let yourself be inspired, but most of all listen to your inner voice that says ‘I can do this.’”
Dean Stacy Jaffee Gropack highlighted a wide range of roles available within health professions beyond becoming doctors or nurses. She referenced campus banners reading ‘Dare to Be’ as an invitation for students “to step into the unknown,” emphasizing that their ideas are needed within healthcare.
Hands-on sessions gave participants experience using ultrasound machines on peers or operating robotic surgery simulators. For some students like Angely Andrade from Westbury Middle School, learning CPR was especially meaningful: “If I can’t be a doctor and I see someone in need, I want to have the skills and be able to help.”
Older students attended information sessions on financial aid options as well as programs offered by RSOM’s various schools including Dental Medicine and Nursing.
Mentorship remained central throughout the summit as both current medical students and professionals described how seeing others who looked like them made pursuing medicine seem achievable. Dontae Teuton recalled his own journey: “I didn’t often see a physician who looked like me... When I finally met one it inspired me.” Volunteer coordinator Jerome Belford shared how undergraduate programs at Stony Brook helped him become his family’s first college graduate.
Executive Vice President William Wertheim encouraged participants not only to ask questions but also stay curious about their future paths: “Every person here… is on a different journey,” he said.
Cardiothoracic surgeon Allison McLarty delivered the keynote address recounting her experiences overcoming obstacles throughout her training after moving from Jamaica—emphasizing perseverance even when faced with doubt or bias: “Dream. Be determined. Recognize your destiny,” she told attendees.
“If you believe in yourself and say ‘I want this more than anything,’ you can make it happen,” Powell added during closing remarks.