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Greensboro Medical Society Encourages Young Men Of Color To Pursue Medicine

The Greensboro Medical Society. Photo courtesy Keith Funderburk.

A Greensboro-based group of doctors is visiting a local elementary school Wednesday to encourage black male students to consider a career in heath care.  

Male doctors from across the Greensboro area will meet with students at Wiley Elementary to tell them about their work for the event called Men's Doctor Day.     

They're part of The Greensboro Medical Society, an organization of black doctors that dates back to the 1920s. Their goal is to help influence the next generation, in the hopes of having increased numbers of minority healthcare providers.

In 2014 fewer black male students applied to and enrolled in medical school than in 1978.

One of the doctors participating is nephrologist Alvin Powell.

“It's extremely important for young people, particularly young African-American males and females to realize that we exist," he says. "We don't have always positive role models portrayed, and it's important for the young folks to see us out there working, and that we're real. And that they can do what we're doing.”

The Greensboro Medical Society conducted Women's Doctor Day last December.

Ed. This post has been updated to include the name of the school. 

Bethany is WFDD's editorial director. She joined the staff in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming editorial director, Bethany was assistant news Director, a reporter and associate producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

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