BPAO is proud to engage in Outreach initiatives throughout the year to help aspiring physicians at the level of high school, undergraduate and graduate studies.  The goal is to inform, encourage and prepare these students for a career in medicine.  In doing so, the BPAO aims to build a network of engaged physicians of Afro-Caribbean descent in Ontario.

Here is an outline of the organization’s key, formal outreach events   

• FALL – Speak UP! Optimize communication and interview skills

A event for Undergraduate students throughout Ontario registered with the Community of Support (COS) (http://www.md.utoronto.ca/community-support).  Delivered in the form of a Facilitator-led workshop, this event provides students throughout Ontario with the opportunity to engage with each other in small groups and learn communication techniques, interview formats and practice their skills in advance of medical school interviews.

• WINTER- Ignite! Increasing Diversity in Medicine

Held in March each year, this conference is co-sponsored by the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto’s Service Learning and Diversity Outreach branch.  This full day conference provides high school and undergraduates students with an interest in the medical field with direct access to medical school admissions officers, current medical students, medical residents and practicing physicians.  Talks provide these students with accurate and current information about medical school applications, interviews and the rigours of medical school, residency and everyday practice.

Attendees ask questions of and interact with various physicians across medical subspecialties.  Bank representatives are also available to address questions about the cost of financing medical studies.  Attendance at this conference provides students with accurate and current information about the process of applying to and thriving within medical studies.

A List of participating student groups includes:

Ottawa’s Association of Black Aspiring Physicians (ABAP)

            York’s Future Black Physicians Initiative

U of T Scarborough’s Future Black Physicians (FBP)

Brock’s Black Aspiring Physicians

U of T St. George’s Black Doctors of Tomorrow (B.DOT)

McMaster’s Black Aspiring Physicians of McMaster (BAP-Mac)

UOIT’s Black Physicians of Tomorrow (BPT)

Western’s Future Black Physicians

Lakehead University – Leaders in Disguise

Black Researchers Initiative to Empower (BRITE)

• SPRING – BPAO Social & New Medical Student Welcome

Held in June, shortly after students obtain their medical school acceptances, this celebratory event congratulates and welcomes new medical students to their next career stage.  It is attended by resident physicians and practicing physicians as well, to provide a bridge across different stages of the profession.

This last June, the event included workshops for medical students and residents.  The BPAO welcomed more than 20 new medical students who were accepted to Medical Doctor (MD) studies across Ontario and in certain States in the USA. 

Throughout the year, members of the BPAO also mentor and support future physicians through various informal commitments.  Some of these informal supports have included:

• Informal career discussion over coffee
• Mentorship and application support in applying to medical schools
• Lead discussions with large groups of students about their pursuit of medicine and a typical work day
• Speak at COS chapters at their undergraduate or medical school alma mater in-person or via webinar
• Provide research opportunities
• Provide shadowing in the office or medical clinic

At the BPAO, we take pride in taking the time and effort to extend our experience to the future generation of black physicians. 

We know that our students have the initiative and the intellect to excel, our Outreach helps provide the means.

To become involved as a member, please contact info@bpao.org.

BPAO is proud to support the Community Of Support http://www.md.utoronto.ca/community-support

This is a service for prospective medical students from across the province, and indeed the country.

• Launched in March 2015
• Stakeholders: Collaboration between BPAO, Faculty of Medicine OHPSA, UME Enrolment Services, Chief Diversity Officer, BMSA
• Size and growth: Sept 2016: 400+ Black undergrads and recent grads across Canada and the US. March 2015 – March 2016 ~ 200 students. Growing into a national network that is reaching black MD student and resident mentors across Canada
• We offer: Admissions guidance, mentorship and application support. Mentorship ex: summer biostatistics course, BPAO mentorship sessions (summer), 12+ campus COS chapters providing peer support and skill building opportunities

Mentors can do one or more of the following:

• Provide project work or lead discussions with large groups of students (20+ students) OR speak to their colleagues about starting projects. Their organizations can be brought on board as Social Accountability is an accreditation standard.
• Speak at COS chapters at their alma mater (where they did undergrad / MD / PGME). This can be done in-person or online.
• Help applicants with their Med school application support during the summer time
• Provide research opportunities
• Provide shadowing