NORFOLK, Va — This weekend, Norfolk State University was filled with future doctors and nurses. This was during an event called 'Black Men In White Coats'.
The event was hosted by Sentara Health which has invested nearly $4 million into two new pipeline development programs, Sentara Scholars and Project Choice, to support students pursuing healthcare careers and help remove financial barriers.
With the help of local medical professionals from the school and from Sentara, students practiced CPR, dissections, and medical simulations with local physicians.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges the united states could see a significant physician shortage
Specifically than 120,000 within the next ten years.
Dr. Jamela Martin, the NSU chair of nursing and Allied Health says there is also a need for more people of color to wear white coats.
"That patient provider relationship is extremely important when you are talking about health equity health disparities and we know that patients are much more likely to feel safe and comfortable around people who look like them," said Martin.
More than 300 people registered for the youth summit Saturday afternoon.
