More than 100 medical and pre-medical students from throughout New England gathered at the Larner College of Medicine on November 10–11 for the Region VII Medical Education Conference (RMEC), hosted by the University of Vermont’s Student National Medical Association (SNMA). The event marked the first SNMA conference hosted by UVM. The conference theme, “Uplifting Voices: Celebrating Diversity in Medicine,” reflected SNMA members’ passion for ensuring that people from populations underrepresented in the profession of medicine are empowered to pursue medical careers.

Larner Class of 2026 medical students Emmanuel “Manny” Ogunlana and Meron Yishak, co-presidents of SNMA at UVM, served as conference chairs, working alongside their SNMA executive board colleagues and fellow Class of 2026 students Adama Aja, Jacquelyn Ferguson, Shani Legore, and Ian Minearo. They organized a robust program of speakers and workshops along with a research poster forum, mentoring session for high school students, and community service project with the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington. Yishak and Ogunlana gave opening remarks.

“Although we might all come from different institutions and different backgrounds, what unites us is SNMA in our mission of diversifying the face of medicine and providing equitable care to all," Yishak said.

Margaret Tandoh, M.D., FACS, associate professor of surgery and associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcomed attendees at a dinner on Friday evening at the UVM Alumni House. Tandoh described the history of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at UVM’s medical college, highlighting recent such advancements as pathway programs for pre-medical students, holistic admissions and residency applications processes, and nurturing minority faculty. She also described efforts to address the needs of underserved communities and increase the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent, and socially conscious physicians, emphasizing that “health cannot exist where justice does not prevail."

Medical students from institutions throughout New England gathered at the Larner College of Medicine for learning, exploring career paths, sharing experiences, and networking. (Photo: David Seaver)

Elizabeth Bonney, M.D., M.P.H., professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences and division director for reproductive science research, gave the keynote address on Saturday in the Sullivan classroom. Bonney candidly described her academic and career journey, including the obstacles she faced as a Black woman in science, and the strategies she used to overcome them, and she provided tactics for navigating them: “Number one, remember that you belong in medicine, and moreover, you are desperately needed,” Bonney said. “Number two, when someone tells you that you can’t do something, don’t listen. The only people to listen to are those who say, ‘Okay, you want to do this, here are the obstacles you may run into, the barriers you may face, and if you need help along the way, let me know.”

Bonney’s list of tips also included: Become an expert on an aspect of medicine you are passionate about; get hands-on opportunities to lead and shine; and document everything along the way, but be very purposeful about what you say publicly.

“Keep a journal, document difficult conversations and also positive feedback,” Bonney said. “When a particularly difficult situation arises, write the angry email, but don’t send it. Use it to write a paper in an editorially reviewed document, and get other people interested to work with you."

Larner College of Medicine SNMA executive board members gathered for a selfie with faculty advisor Margaret Tandoh, M.D., FACS (clockwise, from top right): Jacquelyn Ferguson, Shani Legore, Ian Minearo, Adama Aja, Manny Ogunlana, and Meron Yishak. (Photo: David Seaver)