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The past, present and future of the medical profession were in view at the Black Health Symposium this past weekend, on the first day of Black History Month. 

“I want Black students to be able to see what their future could be,” said Patricia Machekera, a first-year medical student and one of the organizers of the symposium held February 1 at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Bannatyne campus.

Organized by the Black Medical Students Association (BMSA), the first Black Health Symposium took place in 2019, and returned this year with the aim to make careers in health care more accessible to Black students. The event also included displays from the College of Dentistry, College of Rehabilitation Sciences Occupational and Respiratory Therapy, the College of Pharmacy and others. The symposium offered 50 spots for youth to take part in a day of programming featuring speakers and hands-on activities to explore careers in health. 

Machekera said the event works to break the barriers faced by Black students, including having access to information and resources. One of the barriers she faced was having to wait for her Canadian citizenship before she was able to apply to medical school. Growing up in Zimbabwe, she became interested in pursuing medicine as she saw her grandfather struggle with diabetes, becoming a double amputee as a result of the disease. She saw a difference in him when he received care from physicians who listened and validated his experience, inspiring her to be someone who could provide that care to others.

Making connections early offers something that can otherwise be in short supply – access to social capital – the ​“who you know” factors that can help you along the way, she said. Vatineh Magaji, a fourth-year medical student representing BMSA, echoed the importance of relationships.

An event like the symposium makes it easy to meet people, Magaji said. ​“It’s an inviting, friendly space to initiate learning,” said Magaji, a past winner of the Doctors Manitoba Top 40 Under 40 awards. Building those connections can help navigate university admissions and provide other opportunities in the future. 

Having mentors can inspire you to take on things you may not have considered previously, she said. She credits her mentor, Gio Guzzi, formerly of the Women’s Health Clinic with helping her find her way. There’s so much more available than people may realize and the symposium and other events like it are part of inspiring and encouraging people to go for it, she said. 

Dr. Jared Bullard was at the symposium to answer questions and share his experience. When he was in medical school, he was one of two Black students out of 300, and was the 15^th Black physician to graduate from the University of Manitoba Max Rady College of Medicine. This year there are 17 students in Med 1 to 4. 

Victoria Odelye, 14, wants to be attend medical school and one day become a surgeon. The Grade 9 student heard about the symposium via a group chat with members at her church and decided to spend her Saturday on campus. She has always been interested in medicine, from the time she was four and pretending to operate on her sister. She said she loved taking part in the day’s activities from learning how to be a strong applicant for university, to looking forward to the afternoon’s Q and A. ​“I can’t wait to tell everyone about it,” she said.