Crosby Scholars African American Males Pursuing Educational Dreams Hosts Summer Program

July 29, 2024

A group of people wearing lab coats looking at a medical manikin.

The Office of Justice and Belonging and Crosby Scholars African American Males Pursuing Educational Dreams (AAMPED) recently hosted the AAMPED Goes Medical Two-Day Summer Summit. This summer program offered hands-on activities and health professions workshops for scholars to engage with medical professionals and current students at the School of Medicine and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

The scholars participated in a DNA extraction science experiment, received CPR and basic life support training and learned about careers in anesthesiology, practiced suturing open wounds. Participants also engaged in a team-building exercise during the program.

Below is a full recap of what the scholars did for the AAMPED Goes Medical Two-Day Summer Summit:

  • Scholars learned about preclinical trials and biomedical research while participating in a DNA extraction science experiment.
  • The AAMPED scholars received CPR and basic life support training led by Colton Sobolewski, Critical Care Flight Paramedic at AirCare Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
  • Scholars learned from current physicians about their pathways to careers in anesthesiology with a panel discussion led by Brandon Williams, MD, assistant professor of anesthesiology.
  • Robert Wooten, PA-C, assistant professor of PA Studies, led a suture session on artificial skin-like silicone suture pads for the scholars to learn how to suture open wounds. They even got a suture kit to take home to keep perfecting their skills.
  • A Best SELF team-building exercise where scholars had to take on the role of Scientist or Nature, led by Leslie Russell, program manager for Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning.

AAMPED Goes Medical was created for African-American male students in Crosby Scholars who are interested in pursuing careers in medical and health care professions, providing them with hands-on experience and exposure to faculty, staff, and medical students at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.