Inspiring the Next Generation: Stony Brook Brings Doctors Back to School

More than 50 physicians, residents, medical and dental students from Stony Brook’s Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) and School of Dental Medicine visited four Suffolk County high schools — Brentwood, Longwood, William Floyd and Wyandanch High Schools — on April 11 as part of Doctors Back to School Day.

The national initiative by the American Medical Association (AMA) is designed to inspire underrepresented students to pursue careers in healthcare.

Now in its eighth year, the program expanded to include William Floyd High School for the first time. Several sessions at Wyandanch High School were conducted entirely in Spanish to better serve students taking classes in their native language.

The outreach effort is led by Cordia Beverley, MD, assistant dean for community health policy at RSOM, and introduces high schoolers to physicians and dentists who may have experienced similar backgrounds or experiences.

“It is incredibly important for these high school students to have the opportunity to meet role models in the field of medicine who are able to demonstrate the many rewards of studying and practicing medicine,” said Beverley.

Stony Brook alumni who once attended the program have now come full circle and returned to speak to students.

Daniel Maselli, a medical student and 2017 graduate of Brentwood High School, credits his career path to attending the Doctors Back to School event while in high school. “I was so happy to participate in the program as someone who was initially inspired by SBU’s students eight years ago,” said Maselli. “I am looking forward to the next opportunity to volunteer.”

According to the AMA, minority physicians are more likely to practice in underserved communities and have better outcomes with minority patients. The goal of the program is to not only increase representation in healthcare professions, but to close healthcare disparity gaps through community engagement and role modeling.

At Brentwood High School, students met with Maselli and fellow alum Jonathan Aristondo (class of 2018), who shared their academic journeys, challenges and tips for financing a medical education. Mark Ingram, career education specialist at Brentwood, spoke about the importance of sharing these personal journeys.

“Soon-to-be Dr. Maselli was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after attending the Doctors Back to School presentation during his senior year,” Ingram wrote. “The students learned about career paths in medicine, educational requirements and the range of jobs in healthcare.”

Terri Randall, Medical Club advisor at William Floyd High School, expressed her appreciation in a message to Stony Brook organizers. “Our high school students were so appreciative and truly enjoyed the opportunity to learn from the panel,” she said. “We look forward to next year’s program.”

In total, the team spoke with more than 600 students, discussing careers in medicine, dentistry and public health, as well as the importance of diversity in healthcare.

A medical student who volunteered with the program noted, “As someone who grew up going to underserved public schools for most of his childhood, an event like this one would have been immensely helpful in motivating me in my path to medicine.”

The event also supports academic requirements for medical schools. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education calls for student involvement in community service and reflection, which studies show helps steer medical trainees toward primary care specialties.

The Doctors Back to School Day program complements other Stony Brook Medicine outreach efforts, including the Health Occupations Partnership for Excellence (HOPE) program and Black Men In White Coats, a national mentoring initiative and annual event at Stony Brook for elementary through high school students.

Erika Karp, associate director for University and Medicine Community Relations, praised Dr. Beverley’s continued leadership.

“The event provides our HOPE Program partners an additional impactful opportunity for students to explore careers in healthcare and medicine,” Karp said.

— Beth Squire