Supporting Black Doctors; a step towards health equity

About Need More Black Doctors...

A campaign led by the Howard University Medical Alumni Association (HUMAA), to invite the public to support our efforts in investing in the growth of Black physicians. We know the number one strategy to combat disparities in healthcare is for patients to have a physician who looks like them and who, in turn, will listen and advocate for them. The most effective strategy to address healthcare disparities is ensuring patients have physicians who reflect their own backgrounds—who will listen, understand, and advocate for their needs.

This campaign will support medical students starting with Howard University College of Medicine— The only ranked HBCU medical school that produces more Black physicians than any other ranked medical school in the nation.

Our initiative supports aspiring doctors through scholarships, mentorship programs, special educational initiatives, and emergency grants, creating pathways for success; to allow these students to focus on their studies without the pressures of stress about financial resources.

With the average Black medical student graduating with over $200,000 in student loan debt, financial support is critical to increasing the number of Black physicians. (Unfortunately, in the Black community, some of the brightest students are deciding against medicine as a career, due to the large financial burdens.) Through this support, we aim to create a pathway to a healthcare system where patients have access to doctors who understand their experiences and represent their communities.

We offer a range of programs, scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and avenues for giving to empower and uplift aspiring Black doctors. Your support can help shape the future of healthcare by ensuring diversity and inclusivity in the medical field.

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Programs Overview

Scholarships

We support scholarship opportunities for medical students attending Howard University College of Medicine. These scholarships help alleviate the heavy financial burden of medical school, ensuring that promising students can focus on their studies. Although our scholarships are increasing, last year, we were only able to offer scholarships to 50% of applicants, which is why your support is crucial.

Donate to Scholarships

Emergency Grants | Food Insecurity

For students facing unexpected financial hardships, our emergency grants provide immediate relief. These grants ensure that no student’s dream of becoming a doctor is derailed by sudden financial challenges.

And in today’s financial climate, many students face significant challenges, struggling to afford rent and food after covering tuition.

Donate to Emergency Grants | Food Insecurity

Programs and Mentorship

Journey to the Long White Coat

Our special programs include networking events, educational workshops, and leadership training aimed at helping Black students thrive in medical school and beyond. These programs are designed to prepare them for success in their medical careers. Mentorship is a cornerstone of our mission. By connecting students with experienced Black doctors, we help them navigate the challenges of medical school, offering guidance and building a community of support.

Contribute to Programs and Mentorship

Long White Coats

The Symbol of Success

The long white coat represents the culmination of studies, a transition from student to doctor. Through the Need More Black Doctors campaign, we provide support throughout this journey, ensuring that more Black students earn their white coats and go on to transform healthcare and make their impact in our communities and around the world.

Sponsor a Student's White Coat

Black Physicians Represent Only 5% of the Workforce

Despite making up 13% of the U.S. population, Black Americans represent only 5% of active physicians, underscoring a severe underrepresentation in the medical profession.

Bajaj, S. S., Tu, L., & Stanford, F. C. (2021). Superhuman, but never enough: Black women in medicine. Lancet (London, England), 398(10309), 1398–1399.

Read the full article here