Drexel’s APEx Diversity in Medicine Invited I Choose To Win’s Empowered Uth to Symposium

Interested Youth in I Choose To Win’s Empowered Uth program network were invited to participate in the 2025 Drexel Medicine Diversity in Medicine Research Symposium held at the Health Sciences Building on Drexel’s Campus in Philadelphia on Friday evening January 24th.  

The event put on by Aspiring Physician Executives (APEx) went above and beyond our expectations. They fed our students dinner from Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread, then created a mock white coat ceremony for our girls where they were the recipients of applause while being draped in the white coat issued to the medical students who led the program. Of those who signed up,  many were already clear and unwavering about wanting to be in medicine with career paths already carved – they are future dermatologist, anesthesiologist, registered nurse, pediatric nurse and a surgeon. So, the white coat ceremony, while a nice touch,  could very well become a core memory for these girls should they pursue their passion and begin medical school in the future. 

Students who signed up were invited to experience a research symposium where medical students compiled and presented data, displayed their findings and delivered verbal synopsis of their research projects for community impact.  Our Empowered Uth participants listened, asked questions and identified the projects that resonated the most with them.   

In the end, the participants judged their favorite projects, and it just so happened to be the same projects the professors also ranked 1st place.

Our participants had this to say about their experience;

  • I really enjoyed the conversations I had with the med students and it allowed me to gain insight into different fields of medicine.” 
  • “I really enjoyed how creative the presenters were in both gathering their data and presenting their findings. It was impressive to see the approaches they used to engage with their research. What I found interesting was how each study took a different perspective on addressing community needs, by focusing on areas they are lacking”

  • “One thing that I enjoyed was the students work was really organized and they explained everything so well that I can understand easily.  I learned many things I have not learned before.” 

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