The number of African-Americans applying to medical school is increasing and physicians in the Bay Area are hoping to keep the numbers high.

On February 18, an African-American physician retention and recruitment non-profit organization, Physicians Medical Forum (PMF), will host a day-long, tuition-free seminar to encourage the increase of Black students attending medical school.

In 2011, first-time medical school applications reached an all-time high, with total applications rising by 2.8 percent over the last year. African-American applicants increased by 4.8 percent.
 

Despite the low number of minority applicants to medical school in previous years, Blacks disproportionally suffer from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, unintentional injury and HIV more than other races.

In an effort to motivate even more students to apply for and pursue a medical career, several of the Bay Area’s top physicians, medical school representatives and medical students will provide information about medical school preparation, medical specialties and life as a physician during the program entitled “Doctors on Board.”

WHO:    Physicians Medical Forum (PMF)
WHAT:    "Doctors on Board Program" (Pre-Medical School Recruitment Conference)
 
WHEN:    Saturday, February 18, 2012 | 6:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
                Registration and breakfast (6:30 A.M. to 8 A.M.)
                Workshops, lunch, mock training and medical clinics (8 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.)
                Award ceremony and networking reception (4 P.M. to 6 P.M.)
 
WHERE:    Oakland Marriott City Center | 10th and Broadway, downtown Oakland

There is no cost to attend the conference and students wishing to take part in the program must submit an application, found here, by Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.

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 (Photo: The Press-Register /Landov)