CDU Pathways Students Attend Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit
Nearly 300 middle and high school students from CDU Pathways and School Partnership Programs and the Compton Unified School District gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the fourth annual Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit, hosted by Cedars-Sinai.
The highly anticipated summit is designed to expand exposure, representation, and access for students who may not otherwise see themselves reflected in the healthcare workforce.
“Having the opportunity to hear from healthcare professionals who look like them gives the students hope,” said Dr. Dulcie Kermah, Director of CDU Pathways and School Partnership Programs.
A sense of representation and possibility echoed throughout the day-long summit as students rotated through a series of interactive learning stations, exploring medical technologies and techniques used by healthcare professionals. Activities included trauma care demonstrations, surgical suturing, medical imaging exploration, artificial intelligence applications in medicine, respiratory therapy demonstrations, and more.
CDU medical students and alumni led one of the stations, while Dr. Kermah served as a featured panelist during the event.
“My job is to encourage the next generation. I’m from Ghana, West Africa and if I can do it they can, too,” she said. “If I can encourage one student, that’s enough, because many young people from our community don’t have the confidence or belief that they can become healthcare professionals. But they can.”
Programs like CDU Pathways and School Partnership Programs ensure that this exposure continues long after a single event.
Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and inspirational experiences, CDU Pathways helps build a foundation for underrepresented Pre-K through 12th-grade students to strengthen their academic skills and pursue careers in health professions.
Learn more about CDU Pathways Programs and how to get involved or support the initiative.