Virtual, March 2021. Atlanta, GA
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Doctor for a Day provides a unique experience of bringing together medical students, residents, fellows, and physicians from across the state of Georgia. The sole purpose of this conference is to increase exposure to the medical field in high school and college students primarily from minority and or underserved backgrounds.
We recently had the pleasure of hosting our annual Doctor for a Day Conference on Saturday, March 13th. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s conference was held virtually. Despite this setback, it was an amazing experience for many students. We had over 150 attendees in total including high school students, college students, doctors, and medical students representing all the medical schools in Georgia. Attendees heard from Dr. Stacy Higgins who spoke on her journey and life as a physician. They also received presentations on infectious disease from Dr. Jeannette Guarner and pathology from Dr. Stewart Neill. The pre-medical students worked together to solve a thought-provoking medical case and heard from a panel of medical students about their experiences. The conference was free for all participants to attend and supported by 100% volunteer efforts. 
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Attendance profile
> 120 college & high school students > 83% underrepresented minority > 80% female >80% reported having difficulties in accessing mentorship and networking in the medical field. The conference increased exposure to medical networking and mentorship among 90% of participants. Over 50 medical students and doctors volunteered and represented all GA medical schools. More than 80% of the high school and college students in attendance were women and 83% identify as Black, African American, Asian, or Latino. This presents a stark contrast to the AAMC workforce statistics indicating only 17.1% identified as Asian, 5.0% Black or African American, and 5.8% Hispanic (2018). Across all racial and ethnic groups, the percentage of male physicians is 64.1% to a female 35.8% ratio (2018).
There is a clear and obvious need to bridge the gap that exists in racial, ethnic, and gender representation in the medical field. The Doctor for a Day Conference works to produce early and substantive mentorship for young people. By being present for these young men and women and supporting their interest in a career in medicine, we as a community of medical professionals believe, we will increase diversity and inclusion in the workforce. A movement which would in turn improve the quality of care and representation that our patients receive. The Doctor for a Day Conference has demonstrated a clear and positive impact on the individual attendees as well as the surrounding community. The feedback received by participants was overwhelmingly positive. We have shared some quotes from the participants below. |
On behalf of the Doctor for a Day team, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude and thanks to all of the Doctors, Fellows, Residents, Medical Students, and volunteers who spent their precious and limited free time making a difference in our community.
We truly appreciate our incredible sponsors and partners including Ubeyond, GSU Center for Community Engagement, American College of Cardiology GA Chapter, Northside Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Emory University Emergency Room & pathology departments and Rimidi.
Without the phenomenal sponsors and altruistic volunteers this event would simply not have been possible.
We truly appreciate our incredible sponsors and partners including Ubeyond, GSU Center for Community Engagement, American College of Cardiology GA Chapter, Northside Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Emory University Emergency Room & pathology departments and Rimidi.
Without the phenomenal sponsors and altruistic volunteers this event would simply not have been possible.
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"It was an amazing experience because it made me so much more excited about the future and becoming a doctor. It helped me realize that this is what I want to do in the future too."
"I felt very supported. Sometimes the medical field is very competitive, and people do not always help each other. Here I felt a sense of community."
"I absolutely love this conference. This is my first time attending it and I've learned a lot about being a doctor or going into the medical field. I feel a lot more confident in myself and my abilities to one day getting into the medical field. I absolutely loved the medical student volunteers, they were awesome!"
"I really loved how patient the medical students were in answering our questions and making us feel comfortable. They were really nice and patient and they helped out a lot."
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If you are a medical professional and want to participate in our future conferences, please see the Volunteer Physician page.
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Organizing Committee
Dylan Krause: Co-chair Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Shelby Comeaux: Co-chair Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Cricket Gullickson Emory University Andrew Hearn Mercer University Heather Grace Krome Mercer University Angie Nguyen Mercer University Alice Hsu Emory University Leen Bakdash Emory University Katherine Case Emory University Noah Newman Wake Forest Amy Tran Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Kelsey Martin Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Heval Mohamed Kelli, MD |
Pre-Med Committee
Abdallah Al-Obaidi (Chair) Emory University Graduate Tanya-Ashley Simbafo Georgia State University Taria Jackson University of Alabama at Birmingham Eric Santana University of Georgia Tre Steel Georgia State University Brianna Gilner University of Alabama at Birmingham Mi’chal Davy Georgia State University Zhuri Nisseau-Bey Georgia State University Mohamad Alo Georgia State University Perimeter College |