2026 Youth Summit dates coming soon!
What to expect from the youth summit
Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) and the Black Men in White Coats Organization seek to provide underrepresented minority youth with exposure to the medical field through robust discussion topics led by content experts including:
- Discussions with dynamic speakers and diverse physician panelists
- Hands on simulation activities
- Educational breakout sessions covering an array of topics including:
- Networking and communication skills
- Hands on CPR training
- Workshops and support for parents & guardians
- Educational guidance from local counselors including how to get into college and medical school
Background
Black Men in White Coats began in 2013 in response to an alarming report that highlighted the decreasing number of black men applying to medical school. KP works closely with high schools, medical schools, and physicians to provide inspiration and mentorship to our youth who may be interested in careers in healthcare. Over the course of the day, students will engage in hands-on activities and network with healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds.
BMiWCx Youth Summits are locally organized events that bring healthcare professionals together for the single purpose of providing underrepresented minority youth with exposure to the medical field. These summits are independently organized by leaders within the community. They educate students, parents, teachers, and community leaders on what it takes to become a medical professional while allowing them to establish and expand their networks. Kaiser Permanente Undergraduate Medical Education has partnered with Black Men in White Coats to achieve these goals through educational discussion topics and activities with dynamic speakers and diverse panelists. Students of all genders and cultural backgrounds are welcome to attend.
Highlights from our 2025 Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Welcome from Las Positas College and Kaiser Permanente Dyrell Foster, Ed.D., President of Las Positas College Ted O’Connell, MD, FAAFP, Director of Undergraduate, Graduate, and Continuing Medical Education Kaiser Permanente Northern California & Associate Clinical Professor UC San Francisco School of Medicine |
| 9:10 AM | Presentation from Dale Okorodudu, MD Dale Okorodudu, MD, Founder, Black Men in White Coats |
| 10:15 AM | Middle School Student Workshop: Topic: Elevator Pitch Ruben Gonzalez, MD, Family Medicine, Napa-Solano, Anisha Simpson, MD, KP-SNMA Fellow, Renisha Coleman, DBA, Regional UME/GME Consultant IV |
| High School CPR Workshop Tammy Arnold, MHSA, BTM, CMA (AAMA), Medical Assisting Program Director, American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences |
|
| College Student Workshop: Communication 101 Jesus Rodriguez, MD |
|
| Parent/Guardian Workshop: How to Raise a Doctor Parent panel Moderator: Raymond Davis, MD |
|
| 11:05 AM | Middle School Workshop: Visit program booths and hands-on activities |
| High School Workshop: Social media etiquette and communication Adrienne Silver, MD |
|
| College workshop: How to get to Medical School Hathiya Chea, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Coordinator KPSOM |
|
| Parent/Guardian workshop: Communication 101 Robert Martinez, MD |
|
| Medical Scholars Pathway (MSP) Only: CV/Resume/Personal Narrative Building Kristin Steffen-Zonsius, MSM, MPH, CPH, SHRM-CP |
|
| 11:50 AM | Visit simulation activity & program booths, and networking lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Middle School CPR workshop Tammy Arnold, MHSA, BTM, CMA (AAMA), Medical Assisting Program Director, American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences |
| High School workshop: How to get to college Terrance Thompson, Transfer Center Coordinator & A2MEND Advisor; Kenneth Cooper, Executive Director – Las Positas College |
|
| Parents/Guardians & College Students Combined workshop: Understanding the College Search and Application process AJ Howell-Williams, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Admission, Santa Clara University |
|
| 1:50 PM | Physician Panel 1 Moderator: Michael Green, MD |
| Physician Panel 2 Moderator: Robert Martinez, MD |
|
| 2:50 PM | Raffle & Closing Sean Brooks Vice President of Administrative Services Carla Wicks, MD Regional Medical Director-TPMG Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity (EID) Physician Lead-TPMG Health Equity for Women’s Health Advisory Group |
Questions about this event? Please contact:
Michelle Loaiza, MSHCA
michelle.b.loaiza@kp.org
Melissa Wong, MPH
melissa.m.wong@kp.org