Black Women with Stethoscopes Youth Summit encourages young Black women to consider healthcare careers
Hennepin Healthcare is hosting the inaugural Black Women with Stethoscopes Youth Summit on Saturday, April 30. This first of two events will expose young Black women ages 12-18 to careers in medicine through hands-on activities and engagement opportunities with Black physicians, dentists, nurses, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare clinicians. The summit, which focuses on four provider roles (physician, dentist, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner) follows the successful Black Men with Stethoscopes Youth Summit that took place last year.
“There are so many people who are vital in making a hospital run,” explains Dr. Elizabeth Alabi, OBGYN at Hennepin Healthcare. “In addition to the roles we explore at the events, there are so many other areas in medicine that are extremely important. Lab techs, phlebotomists, medical assistants, respiratory therapists, and of course nursing, and the list goes on and on. For those of you who are thinking that a career in medicine is something that you want, I definitely encourage you to do so. Ladies if you want to do this, you can do this – and never let anyone get in your way.”
Dr. Alabi will be one of the physician mentors at Hennepin Healthcare’s Clinic & Specialty Center in downtown Minneapolis welcoming young women and connecting them with medical providers and their experiences at the Black Women with Stethoscopes Youth Summit on April 30.
The summits will include hands-on activities using real medical equipment such as:
- Stethoscopes and dental tools
- Sophisticated simulation mannequins
- Use of ultrasound technology
- Robotic surgery simulators
Participants will also learn about the path to medical and dental schools, receive personalized lab coats and discover helpful tools for goal setting and time management while interacting with female Black medical professionals.
“The sky is the limit for women seeking a career in healthcare, and it’s so encouraging to offer this opportunity for young Black women to experience what their future could be in a professional, rewarding medical setting,” said Dr. Nneka Sederstrom, Chief Health Equity Officer at Hennepin Healthcare.
What: Black Women with Stethoscopes Youth Summit (two dates, identical events)
When: 9:30 am to 3 pm, Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 15, 2022
Where: Hennepin Healthcare’s Clinic & Specialty Center, Stillman Community Room
715 S. 8th St., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Photo opportunities include attendees receiving white coats with their names pre-embroidered and participating in hands-on activities using real medical equipment. Summit organizers, volunteers, and participants will also be available for interviews and comments.
The Black Women with Stethoscopes Youth Summit is part of a series of initiatives and events organized by Hennepin Healthcare through its Talent Garden program to expose youth to careers in medicine while connecting youth to high-quality work-based learning opportunities and creating access to a network of BIPOC healthcare professionals.
