WellSpan Health partnered with York College to organize the 2nd annual Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit. The event aimed to promote career opportunities in healthcare to over 300 students and caregivers in South Central Pennsylvania. Attendees, regardless of gender and race, engaged in networking and interactive activities that emphasized the diverse career paths within the healthcare industry.
Key speakers included Kim Brister, WellSpan’s vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, and Dr. Emmanuel B. John, Dean of the Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions at York College. Both highlighted the importance of community-based initiatives in fostering future healthcare professionals.
The event also featured Dr. Damien Myers, MD, MPH, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Myers, who transitioned from clinical practice to education, discussed the need for more Black doctors and shared his experiences through his Baltimore-based program, MedReimagined.
In addition to the youth-focused activities, the summit provided sessions for parents and caregivers, offering guidance on career development and financial advice for college education. The summit received support from various organizations, including the WellSpan York Health Foundation Kids First Committee, Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, Pennsylvania Medical Society Health Diversity Task Force, and York College of Pennsylvania.
WellSpan’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been recognized by Newsweek and Training Apex. Through initiatives like the youth summit, WellSpan continues to foster an inclusive culture and deliver high-quality, patient-focused care.
