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Johnson & Johnson shared ways to advance diversity in healthcare through the stories of three healthcare experts.
Mentorship, a sense of belonging, representation and financial support are a few of many ways to increase the number of diverse professionals in healthcare.
Jamarcus Brider, D.O.: “A Sense of Belonging Motivated Me to Keep Going”
As a Black pre-medical student in a predominantly white university, Dr. Brider was told by an advisor that he wasn’t a good fit for medical school.
However, as a resident, Dr. Brider was accepted into ACC Foundation’s African American/Black Cohort Internal Medicine Cardiology Program. A partner of Johnson & Johnson, ACC aids historically underrepresented groups through various equity programs.
Donna Febres, M.S., Ph.D., Principal Medical Science Liaison in Rheumatology, Johnson & Johnson: “It’s Not That We Can’t Do It. It’s That There’s a Lack of Support”
Febres was able to pursue a chemistry degree in college due to support from a National Institutes of Health (NIH) program. The program helped prepare underrepresented students attain doctorate degrees in biomedical and behavioral sciences, offering tutoring, financial assistance and travel to conferences.
“The NIH invited diverse experts from the NIH and other institutions to speak to our program, so we saw physicians and scientists who looked like us,” Ferbes said.
Ashley Orillion, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, Janssen: “Application Fees Can Deter People From Applying to School at All”
Orillion was raised well below the poverty line, causing college to seem far out of reach. However, due to The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program scholarship, she was able to pursue a degree.
The program prepares students from underrepresented groups through financial aid, mentorship, tutoring and GRE training.
Read more at jnj.com.
