Suffolk Reporter

The Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit, hosted by the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University and its Black Men in White Coats chapter, took place on November 14. The event aimed to inspire young students to consider careers in healthcare, providing them with mentorship and resources.

Sponsored by RSOM, the Simons STEM Scholars program, and University and Medicine Community Relations, the summit was free for attendees. It attracted over 600 students from Long Island and New York City. More than 100 faculty members, staff, and students volunteered to support the event.

Workshops introduced participants to fields such as medicine, nursing, social work, psychiatry, and dentistry. Students engaged in hands-on learning experiences using a robotic surgery machine and ultrasound machines.

High school students attended sessions on financial aid and admissions for various schools within Stony Brook University. Adrien Canery emphasized the importance of diversity in healthcare: “This summit means everything to me,” he said. Dontae Teuton added that representation is crucial: “It’s crucial for young kids to see people who look like them in medicine,” he stated.

Peter Igarashi opened the summit with remarks about diversity's role in healthcare: “Our country needs more doctors, nurses, and social workers from diverse backgrounds,” he noted. Interim President Richard McCormick reinforced this message: “How can we truly care for everyone if all needs aren’t represented?” he asked.

Stacy Jaffee Gropack encouraged participants with her message on resilience: “To be unstoppable is to confront challenges with resilience," she said. Angelica Conway appreciated the exposure her students gained at the summit: “They’re learning about everything from dental hygiene to optometry,” she shared.

Imoigele Aisiku delivered a keynote address sharing his non-linear path into medicine. He advised students to "be your authentic self" and emphasized discipline as key to success.

Joyce DeRougemont learned about financial opportunities through Stony Brook’s Simons STEM Scholars program during the summit. She expressed excitement about pursuing higher education without financial barriers.

Marquise Soto highlighted that many attendees were interested in medical school applications and balancing work/life while studying: "This event is about showing them what’s possible," Soto said.

— Beth Squire