Minority middle school, high school and college students interested in working in health care gathered at Baptist Health Sciences University (BHSU) on Saturday, April 1 for the fifth annual Black Men in White Coats: Building Diverse Health Care Professionals. The free event, hosted by BHSU HealthCORE, is designed to inspire students to pursue the many career options available in medicine, science, public health and other health professions. This year’s theme was “Permission to be Great.”
The event reached its maximum capacity, with more than 250 students registered. It kicked off with a saxophone performance from Dr. Bill Heard, a retired ophthalmologist. Next, Dr. Betty Sue McGarvey, president of BHSU and a BHSU nursing alumna and faculty member, welcomed attendees and lifted the gathering in prayer for those present and for the 100 students from Tipton County who were unable to attend due to storm damage in their community.
After the welcome, Dr. Lou Arrindell, a neonatologist with Baptist, shared his calling and the importance of having a mentor in his home like his dad, Dr. Esmond Arrindell, who is also a neonatologist with Baptist.
Dr. Michelle Taylor, director of the Shelby County Health Department and an Air National Guard flight physician, delivered the keynote address inspiring participants to be great while embracing the journey that is uniquely theirs.
Samuel Pieh, chief operating officer for Baptist Memphis, served as master of ceremony for the event. Pieh, who is also a physical therapist, spoke about how increasing the number of black men in white coat health professions can help decrease the high rates of health disparities among communities of color. Fewer than 2% of physicians are black men.
At the event, students networked with more than 70 health care professionals, participated in 12 lab demonstrations, and learned from 35 vendors about job opportunities, mentoring programs and how to work with community organizations to advance their health care careers.
Students also toured Baptist Priority Ambulance. The event was supported by 65 volunteers from Baptist, BHSU and other local organizations, and was led by Lilian Nyindodo, PhD; Ann Marie Wallace, MSPH, system community involvement coordinator; and Briana Jegier, PhD.
The success of this program was made possible by all those in attendance and the many health partners who participated. Mark your calendars for the sixth annual Black Men in White Coats, which will be held on April 6, 2024.
If you are interested in participating next year or volunteering with BHSU HealthCORE, contact Dr. Lilian Nyindodo at HealthCore@baptistu.edu.
