Saint Mary’s Hosts First ‘Black Men In White Coats’ Youth Summit in Connecticut

(from left to right) Husnain Kermalli, M.D., MS, Chief Medical Officer, Saint Mary's Hospital; Kwame O. Asante M. D., FAAPMR, Chair, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Shawnette Alston, M.D., M.B.A., FACP, Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Saint Mary’s Hospital; and Veronica Maria Pimentel, M.D., Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist and Director of Research for OB/GYN Residency provide leadership and mentorship at Connecticut’s first ‘Black Men In White Coats’ Summit.

Held at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury, nearly 1,000 students and over 200 parents/guardians participated in the event that included breakout sessions and special exhibits located at the adjacent UConn Waterbury Campus. The day-long, free program for students from Grade 3 to Post-Baccalaureate featured a keynote address that focused on “Permission to be Great” from the BMWC founder, Dr. Dale Okorodudu, hands-on sessions for both students and parents, and panel discussions with Black men and women currently working as physicians. The hands-on sessions introduced students to the basic concepts of CPR, checking vital signs, wound care, suturing, and intubation. Other hands-on opportunities and exhibits included the Intuitive Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System and a virtual reality medical training session.

A main pillar of the movement, emphasized during the day’s event, was the special element of mentorship. Dozens of volunteer mentors were assigned to small groups of students, helping them navigate through the many hands-on activities. Mentors also spent the lunch hour with their groups which provided additional one-on-one time and room for more informal discussion. Participants described the mentoring experience as deeply rewarding and of immense value to both students and professionals.

The event was made possible through the efforts of over 100 volunteers from Trinity Health Of New England and the greater Waterbury area.