We are excited to launch a new pipeline program at ICO. On November 19th, we will pilot the Pre-Health Professions Crash Course on campus.
The White Coat Project is one of ICO's new initiatives meant to inspire underrepresented minority and 1st-generation college students to pursue careers in optometry and other health careers. The Pre-Health Professions Crash Course is the first official event under this initiative. The ultimate goal is to reverse health disparities in high-risk populations by merely diversifying the health workforce.
During our first pilot session, high school students, undergraduates, and alumni from our college access partner, Chicago Scholars, will learn about optometry, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health, from practitioners who come from similar backgrounds.
We hope that all of our program participants strongly consider optometry as a career. If there is a better fit in another health profession, we are honored to make the introduction. If you’re interested in learning more, you can also check out the interview we did with Dr. Harris a few months ago.
For all Chicago Scholars students participating, breakfast and lunch will be served, and a stipend will be provided.
For participants, if you find optometry interesting, we’d love to stay in touch with you! Don’t forget our Focus on Your Future program and we would be happy to connect you with a shadowing opportunity as well.
Below, you will find the information for the speakers at the White Coat Project:
Uchechi Mitchell, PhD, MSPH
Dr. Mitchell is an Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She is an expert in health equity and disparities and will lecture on these topics. She brings years of research and education from Harvard and UCLA.
Rose Amable, DDS
Dr. Amable was born in Peru and moved to the United States at the age of 19. She speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She is a private practice co-owner at Ardsley Family Dental in New York. She is also a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the NYU College of Dentistry.
Breanne McGhee, OD, FAAO, MEd
Dr. McGhee is a staff optometrist at Oschner Health System in Louisiana. She is very active in several professional optometric organizations and committees. She has a strong commitment to health professions education. She has a Master of Education degree and is currently pursuing a PhD in Education and Leadership.
Tareq Nabhan, OD
Dr. Nabhan is an optometrist and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. He is originally from Palestine. He currently serves as a subject matter expert/consultant for several optometric organizations and is very active in research, education, and humanitarian eyecare initiatives. Drs. McGhee and Nabhan will deliver the optometry portion of our program together.
Josiah Baker, PharmD
Dr. Baker graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2021. He is currently in the second year of his residency program, which he specializes in Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Hines, Illinois.
