Courtney Fleisher, Ph.D., M.A., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and assistant professor of pediatrics, commented to WCAX-TV for a story on the UVM Medical Center and the Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT PoC) working together to connect incoming medical residents of color with others with similar backgrounds and experiences.

“It’s really opportunities for our residents to learn and to practice and to grow and to see if this is a community that fits for them and if they want to stay,” Fleisher said.

VT PoC started offering their Newcomer Nexus program to medical students of color in certain fields this past year. Now, they hope to expand it across more residency programs. Non-white medical students who opt to participate join a virtual discussion where they can ask questions about the area and share more about themselves. They are then matched with an ambassador or peers who help them settle in and navigate life in Vermont as a person of color.

Earlier this year, nearly 30 prospective residents for UVM Medical Center programs attended the VT PoC zoom discussion.

Read full story at WCAX-TV

This topic was also covered by NBC5