News

NBC Washington Profiles MVT Stakeholder’s Efforts to Advance Health Equity

Friday July 12, 2024

During our MVT Black History Month Celebration this past February, we introduced you to the Young Doctors Project: a program supported by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) here in Mount Vernon Triangle that provides education and mentorship to Black and brown high school students in Washington, DC who are interested in going to college and pursuing careers in health. Backing the program falls under AAMC’s broader goal of supporting initiatives and projects that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the academic medicine community.

In late June, NBC Washington caught up with this year’s cohort of 11 future physicians who were honored at the Young Doctors Project’s 12th-Annual White Coat Ceremony that took place at AAMC’s 655 K Street NW headquarters. This new batch of students participated in summer programs at Howard University, attended weekly Saturday seminars, and received hands-on training at community clinics all to set them up for future success. Program organizers tout that 90% of the participating students graduate high school in four years with 82% continuing onto college. One such student, Lawson President, is off to Duke University next year to study to become a psychiatrist and says of the opportunities presented to him through Young Doctors Project: “knowing that we’re making change for the future and the face of medicine to eliminate these health disparities that we learn about it’s going to be an amazing thing.”

Congratulations to all the graduating participants and best of luck with your future endeavors!

[Watch the NBC Washington Piece]

More Resources:
Join the Action Collaborative for Black Men in Medicine Virtual Community.
Read “Action Collaborative for Black Men in Medicine Strategy Summit Proceedings,” October 2022
Listen to the podcast  “Black Men in Medicine: Meeting the Challenge  | Beyond the White Coat: Making the Rounds,” April 6, 2021

Related Links:
MVT Black History Month Celebration Continues with Spotlight on AAMC’s Health Equity Initiatives,” February 9, 2024
AAMC Leader Talks Vaccines & Reopening Strategy with Federal City Council,” May 12, 2020