Scholars Shine at 5th Annual Symposium

MERIT's 5th Annual Symposium was our biggest yet, with over 120 attendees including esteemed professors, government leaders, passionate educators, supportive family members, and others who value diversity in the health professions. As our Scholars presented their laboratory research posters and health care disparity interventions, they showed why they have the intelligence, creativity, and determination necessary to become health care change agents. The program concluded with MERIT Junior Deairra Parker describing how she'll break the chain, which to her means "to stop the recurring theme of struggle in her family and community, and lead an example for future generations that success can be obtained no matter who you are and where you come from." Deairra received a standing ovation and one audience member said, "I know that the future of our City is in good hands with these young leaders."

After the Symposium, MERIT Scholars turned their attention to the Morgan State Youth Health Science Conference. The YHS Conference received presenter applicants from across the city. Due to the consistent high quality of their work, 100% of MERIT Scholars' projects and presentations were accepted! Additionally, after Deairra brought down the house at our Symposium, she was immediately asked to be a keynote speaker at this upcoming conference.