Did you know?
- The shortage of healthcare workers is being called the nation’s top safety concern. (1)
- By the year 2036, it is projected that almost 140,000 full-time equivalent physicians will retire.[2] Medical specialties are finding it harder to find employees.
- Less than 6% of practicing physicians are Black or African American, despite making up 13.6% of the U.S. population.[3]
- Hispanic and Latinx individuals account for only 7% of physicians but represent 18.9% of the population.[4]
Our Goal:
By focusing on mentorship, education, and community engagement, the program aims to inspire, support, and guide underrepresented students from diverse backgrounds toward successful careers in medicine.
Exposure & Inspiration:
14% of medical students grew up in a household with a medical professional. Providing a mentor to a student can help provide that needed role model for early exposure to medical careers.
Opportunities & Resources:
75% of incoming medical students are from families in top 40% of U.S. income brackets. A mentorship program can provide the resources, such as hands on learning, shadowing opportunities, and guidance on the medical school application process that lower income families might not have.
Understanding the Profession:
93% of medical students have parents with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Having a mentor can help a student who may be the first to go to college understand the demands of a medical career, which can help them make informed decisions about pursuing the path.
Leveling the Playing Field:
With partnerships from schools across the state, including Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland as well as Morgan State, and hospital partners like MedStar Health, we will be able to level the playing field for students, no matter their household situations.
Citations
[1] Johnson, S.R. (no date) Staff shortages choking U.S. health care system | healthiest communities health news | U.S. news, U.S. News. Available at: https:// www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-07-28/staff-shortages-choking-u-s-health-care-system (Accessed: 18 July 2024).
[2] Physician Workforce: Projections, 2021–2036 (hrsa.gov)
[3] Only 5.7% of US doctors are Black, and experts warn the shortage harms public health | CNN
[4] What’s your specialty? New data show the choices of America’s doctors by gender, race, and age | AAMC
