Black Girl Pre-Health Collective Supports Black Women in Navigating their College Journeys on the Pre-Health and Pre-Med Track with 4 year planning event
Given the challenges and disparities that women face in healthcare, more young ladies are pursuing careers in public health. However, the percentage of Black women excelling in the field is significantly low.
The Black Girl Pre-Health Collective (BGPC) was launched at The George Washington University in the spring of 2021 to create a space for Black women to build a network and motivate one another to excel in the field of public health.
“People come into college as a pre-health student not knowing how to maneuver what classes to take, when to take which classes, or what to study for their respective exams whether it be the DAT or the MCAT,” says Bailey Moore, the co-founder of BGPC. “I feel like the events we held are important for Black girls that may not necessarily get that anywhere else.”
To end the semester, BGPC hosted a four-year planning event to help first-year students navigate their classes and plan their coursework for the next four years while also seeking different internship opportunities. Another significant aspect of the event was planning for their futures with their peer mentors.
“Per the experience of the student at GW, particularly Black women, find it difficult to approach professors,” says Dr. Tamara Henry, a teaching associate professor in the Milken School of Public Health. “Professors are less open with them when they are asking questions.”
50.7% of Medical School Enrollees in the U.S are women, according to the association of American Medical colleges. However, Black American women comprise only 2% of the healthcare fields.
The Black Girl Pre-Health Collective was created to support collegiate Black women on their journey to becoming healthcare professionals when there is an increasing percentage of Black American women facing health disparities.
In the new year, the Black Girl Pre-Health Collective will reconvene with more service events and networking opportunities for the public.