Twelve medical students from Morehouse School of Medicine and the CUNY School of Medicine donned white coats from UMass Chan Medical School during an orientation for the Diversity for Health Care, Innovation and Medicine Summer Learning Opportunity on June 5.
Throughout June, UMass Chan Medical School will be training students underrepresented in medicine from host programs in Georgia and New York through clinical rotations in dermatology, orthopedic surgery, OB-GYN, internal medicine, pediatrics and radiology.
Students familiarized themselves with UMass Chan during a luncheon, where Marlina Duncan, EdD, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, asked them to write a note to themselves: “I’m here to improve myself, not prove myself.”
Chancellor Michael F. Collins offered this advice to the medical students: “We believe firmly that the faces of our caregivers, those we educate, really need to be the faces of our patients. Pick the minds of faculty and talk to other medical students and residents here. Ask questions and let them know you’re here.”
Participating medical students read letters from last year’s Summer Learning Opportunity cohort and, after receiving UMass Chan white coats, were asked to publicly thank at least three people who helped them achieve success.
“I’m super excited for the clinical experience since a lot of the first year is just classroom learning,” said Allen Smith, a rising second-year medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine, who is interested in pediatrics. “As a medical student, it’s easy to focus on what’s right in front your face. It’s helpful to remember all the people who put me in this position: my parents, mentors and my younger brother Tyrese.”
First-generation medical student Cydnie Mitchell celebrated her birthday on the same day as orientation and called her arrival to UMass Chan’s campus “her greatest birthday gift.” Mitchell expressed gratitude for her family and John Patrickson, PhD, vice chair of neurobiology and co-director of the Department of Neurobiology at Morehouse School of Medicine, who wrote her recommendation letter and encouraged her to pursue learning at UMass Chan.
“The opportunities really are endless right now, especially because we’re just getting started,” said Mitchell, who is interested in dermatology. “I’m excited about learning more about UMass Chan Medical School’s campus, the lifestyle and culture. I want to be immersed in this whole experience because I am absolutely considering UMass Chan for residency. So, I’m excited and thinking about this opportunity as a pre-residency trial run.”
For more information on the Diversity for Health Care, Innovation and Medicine program, contact UMass Chan’s Diversity and Inclusion Office.
