By Montserrat Tijerina and Ifeoma Ikedionwu
On Saturday, May 14th, the 6th annual Black and Latina Women in Medicine Conference was held with a virtual keynote speaker, panel, and morning breakout sessions followed by an in-person reception on the University of Chicago campus. This conference was sponsored by the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), Student National Medical Association (SNMA), Pritzker School of Medicine Health Equity Diversity and Inclusion (HEDI), and University of Chicago James Bowman Society. The Black and Latina Women in Medicine Conference continuously aims to empower and support Black and Latina students, inform them on how to best advocate for themselves and others, and provide role models for how to become leaders in the medical field. Sixty attendees – spanning from premedical students in Chicago and postbac students outside of Illinois to current medical students at Pritzker – came together over Zoom to see our goals in action. This year’s theme was aptly titled “Support: It Takes a Village” as self-advocacy, support, and fellowship amongst Black or Latina women at various stages on their journey in medicine was apparent throughout the day. To begin, Dr. Laura Suleiman was the incredible keynote speaker.
“Don’t yield, don’t acquiesce - because we need you.”
Dr. Linda Suleiman is the first Black woman to graduate from the orthopedic surgeon residency at Northwestern. She is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Assistant Dean of Medical Education, and Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Education at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. As this year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Suleiman introduced attendees to the journey she forged for herself in medicine and orthopedics, inspiring our attendees to dream without limits and to unapologetically blaze their own path as they strive to become physicians. She emphasized the importance of taking the time we need so that we could be our best selves, and she reminded attendees to rely on each other - that we are and will continue to be a strong, growing network of support for one another.
“You represent the next generation of physicians as well as the next generation of mentors and allies.”
The conference continued with a panel and breakout sessions each led by our panelists: Dr. Sonia Oyola, Dr. Geraldine Luna, Dr. Victoria Barbosa, Dr. Keme Carter, Dr. Maria Madariaga, and Dr. Pilar Ortega. This year’s panelists and breakout session leaders came from a variety of backgrounds, and each of them represented how a career in medicine can look different for each and every one of us. Dr. Oyola focused on the value of prioritizing our mental health; Dr. Luna advised on how we could take up space as minority women in medicine; Dr. Barbosa talked about how to navigate a lack of representation in your field; Dr. Carter centered her discussion on dealing with microaggressions in medicine and ways to maintain “professionalism’; Dr. Madariaga explained avenues towards research and finding mentorship in our desired fields; and Dr. Ortega described the paths one could take towards having a family while working towards their goals in medicine. And, you may ask: What was the thread that connected each of our panelists’ talks?
Support.
Attendees left the virtual portion of the conference feeling reinvigorated, comforted, and supported. These sentiments continued into the evening with the in-person wine and cheese reception in the Donnelley Biological Sciences Learning Center on the University of Chicago campus. For some attendees, this was the first time hearing from so many female physicians let alone Black or Latina physicians.
The conference also announced the inaugural Black and Latina Women in Medicine Scholarship Fund. Through fundraising and bake sales, $650 were raised for two pre-medical students to assist in medical school application fees and MCAT expenses. Winners were Opeoluwa Olusi and Alejandra Silva Hernandez. Both winners highlight the impact and importance of conferences like this. Opeoluwa shared, “Thank you so much…the money will be used to pay for my MCAT registration fee. The event was enlightening and encouraging and I am looking forward to the next one!” Additionally, Alejandra spoke about the effect this conference had on her, “It was a gift to hear from such incredible, intelligent, change-making panelists. I didn't know how much I needed to be in this space and I am so grateful to have joined such a large group of future female physicians, I felt seen and heard. I'm very excited for our paths to cross again as we continue achieving our dreams.”
This conference would not have been possible without a village of people working behind the scenes. Thank you to the BLWIM Conference Planning Committee led by SNMA Vice President Tecora Turner: Stephanie Cardenas, Adaora Ekwonu, Ale Gomez, Ifeoma Ikedionwu, Rimel Mwamba, Simi Ogunnowo Lorna Sanchez, Caitlin Somerville, and Montserrat Tijerina. We also greatly appreciate the guest speakers as well as the Pritzker administration who supported this conference, Dr. Milda Saunders, Adriana Black, and Nikeela Oliver. We value each and every one of you for the time and care you put into this conference!
In continuation of this year’s theme of support, we are closing with a mere handful of the dozens of motivational quotes and advice people shared throughout the afternoon. Our guest speakers highlighted the importance of support in fulfilling our happiness, achieving our goals, and realizing our dreams. Whether it be our family or friends, our mentors or our colleagues - we should trust and take pride in the village standing alongside us each step of the way.
“You are more than enough. You are important, you are valuable, and you don’t need to be perfect. People need you.” -Dr. Sonia Oyola
“I have one or two very good friends, and when I’m down in the dumps, they tell me - ‘See yourself through my eyes.’” -Dr. Maria Lucia Madariaga
“You deserve to be acknowledged, and you deserve to be there. It is always appropriate for you to make known what you are supposed to do and why you’re there.” - Dr. Keme Carter
“La felicidad nos hace invencibles. If you’re happy as a person, you are going to be better at what you do.” - Dr. Pilar Ortega
“Don’t obsess, don’t beat yourself - be who you are. You are imperfect. Find balance.” -Dr. Geraldine Luna
“Take risks, and be active.” -Dr. Victoria Barbosa