Virtual, March 2022
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Doctor 4 a Day started as a way to provide mentorship and networking resources to pre-medical students from middle schools, high schools, and undergraduate institutions. The purpose of the conference is to increase exposure to the medical field and gain access to healthcare provider mentorships in different specialties, aimed towards students of underrepresented backgrounds from underserved communities in the area.
Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was held virtually for the second year through Zoom on Saturday, March 12, 2022. We had about 100 eager and enthusiastic attendees in total throughout the conference, including attending physicians, high school students, college students, and medical students representing every medical school in GA. Our main speaker, Dr. Michele Voeltz, spoke of her journey and life as a physician. Attendees also heard from our guest speakers, Dr. Jasmine Hawkins and Dr. Frank Jones, who talked about their path to and through medicine. There was very active engagement and interests by the pre-medical students who attended. The students were also able to collaborate and solve a stimulating medical case that was presented to them, along with hearing from a panel of current medical students about their paths and experiences. The conference was free for all participants who attended and supported by 100% volunteer efforts. |
Attendance profile
> 120 college & high school students > 100% underrepresented minority > 75% female >80% reported having difficulties in accessing mentorship and networking in the medical field. >62.5% reported financial barriers as a deterrent to pursuing medicine. Over 50 medical students and doctors volunteered and represented all GA medical schools. With over 200 students registered and over 130 students in attendance, the 2022 Doctor 4 a Day conference had a record-breaking year in terms of recruitment. 37.9% of students identified as Black or African American, 34.5% identified as Asian, and 25% identified as Hispanic 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 that are interested in pursuing medical fields. 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 can have a significant impact on increasing 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,
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,
Without the phenomenal sponsors and altruistic volunteers this event would simply not have been possible.
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"This conference was so helpful and it really gave me insight on the ups and downs of my future career. I enjoyed the detailed rich conference and I hope to participate in the future. The conference was well put together, well structured and very inspiring! I wish that I had known about it sooner. I am so thankful for the opportunity to participate in an event like this."
"I’m very early on in my journey to becoming a doctor and to be honest i’ve been very doubtful of it especially coming from a low income first gen household, but after the conference, hearing everyone’s successes and hardships i’m feeling a lot better and less alone. I really liked learning about the different aspects in the process and medical school and it was very helpful."
"I was really nervous to attend the conference but having conversations, getting questions answered and especially looking at people's experiences helped me gain confidence that I can become a doctor too. I'm not the best student and I am definitely going through burn out and stuff like that and hearing that medical students and doctors go through this and that they have families and support systems helped me feel like I'm more than the "Nothing" image I've built for myself in the past few months. Thank you very much for being kind and supportive and everything cool!"
"I’ve been going through a rough time with motivation & inspiration in my medical journey and hearing from the medical professionals & students on their experiences and their struggles in their own journey, really gave me the push to know that everything will be fine for me!"
"I left inspired, and encouraged that this too is possible: even for for a non-traditional student such as myself."
"I really enjoyed this event and it encouraged me to keep going forward in my medical journey. I had a rough time with the MCAT and am going at it again. You guys really encouraged me to keep going. Thank you !"
"It felt like community and on this journey I feel that community is the most important. I felt like I was talking and learning from individuals who really want me to be my best. It was also a blessing because most of the people there are connected to Emory , which is my dream medical school."
"I feel the conference was well run, and hearing from doctors about their journey and experiences was very motivating. To be able to relate to the speakers and understand the path to med school was incredibly helpful and inspiring."
"I enjoyed learning about all the doctor’s journeys and knowing that if I have the right drive I can pursue being a doctor."
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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 Amy Spence: Co-chair Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Kelsey Martin: Co-chair Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Adonias Lemma Morehouse University Ramon Caleon Emory University Ambika Menon Emory University Angie Nguyen Mercer University Heather Grace Krome Mercer University Manali Desai Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
Khadija Jones-Shelton Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Natalie Rilo Emory University Neal Shukla Morehouse University Elizabeth Soffer Emory University Eric Santana Augusta University Abdallah Al-Obaidi Tufts University School Of Medicine Mohamad Alo Georgia State University Heval Mohamed Kelli, MD |