Diamond Jenkins
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
As our nation becomes increasingly diverse, the Tour for Diversity in Medicine, a new initiative from several young Boston and Chicago based physicians, will arrive at Jackson State University on Feb. 24th to futher its committment of encouraging minority college students to enter fields in healthcare.
The program began its inaugural bus tour in February to take 11 doctors, dentists and medical school students from minority populations to five historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the South to offer a full day of premedical enrichment activities to the schools’ students. Jackson State was selected as one of the five HBCUs selected.
The initiative recognized that there is a clear need for diversity in healthcare. Minority populations comprise 26 percent of the U.S. population, with African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans combined representing only 6 percent of practicing physicians.
At each university, about 150 students are expected to participate in the full-day program. Session topics will range from the application process, admissions tests, choosing the right specialty and an overview of health disparities. Students will have the opportunity to interact with the presentors and hear their stories about how they overcame obstacles to pursue a career as a health care professional.
Students will also have the opportunity to become involved with discussions with medical professionals and local students who can discuss current health disparities, the benefits of diversity in healthcare and how students can overcome the perceived barriers of entering the medical profession.
Dr. Gillian Barclay, vice president of the Aetna Foundation, said, “As our nation’s population becomes increasingly diverse, we need health care providers who have the cultural competency to engage their patients fully with their treatment and ensure good health outcomes. Multiplying the number of men and women from under-represented minorities is a fundamental strategy to achieving health equity in the United States.”
He added: “The Aetna Foundation is pleased to be the Tour’s founding sponsor and support this innovative initiative as part of our portfolio of programs aimed at developing health care leaders from underrepresented communities.”
Research reveals that patients receiving care from physicians of the same race rate medical visits as more satisfying and report being more engaged in their treatment.
“The tour will have the ability to increase my interest in my major. I like that they are coming to JSU. Things like this make me excited about entering the physical therapy field,” said Jamila Paillet, a sophomore biology/pre-physical therapy major from Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Kameron Matthews, co-director of the Tour for Diversity in Medicine and a family physician in Chicago said, “Without the assistance of mentors over the years, I would not be a doctor today. We want to connect students with physicians and dentists who are dedicated to their growth and their future. “Planning is already underway for two more tours, one in fall 2012 to colleges with large Latino populations and another in spring 2013 to colleges with significant Native American populations.
The tour was funded by a $210,000 award from the Aetna Foundation. Other partners include Harvard Medical School Office of Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership, National Medical Association, National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, Student National Medical Association, American Dental Education Association, ExploreHealthCareers.org, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, and National Health Service Corps.
Xavier Dean, a junior biology major from Nashville, Tenn. said, “Anything that will help this HBCU make advancements for its students is a big deal. It makes you look forward to the professional world.”
The event will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the John A. Peoples Science Building, Rooms 204 & 209. Students with a Networking Luncheon and speak with mentors and students.
For more information, visit http://tour4diversity.org/.
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