Drums welcome medical students
By Mat Herron
Contributing Writer
Amidst the thundering backbeat of African drums and the flair of traditional dress, the incoming UK black medical students filed into the Boone Faculty Center on Rose Street.
Titled "Opening of the Way," the ceremony yesterday was organized by the minority affairs offices at the UK Chandler Medical Center and the community college system as recognition of a two-fold commitment by medical students and teachers to excellence in education and pursuit of academic goals.Parents and relatives, current students, college deans, Medical Center Chancellor James W. Holsinger, and Community College Minority Affairs Coordinator Nashid Fakhrid-Deen were on hand at the first celebration of this type in a U.S. academic medical facility.
Following a commitment address by Holsinger, and a fiery, inspirational address by Fakhrid-Deen, the 12 new students stood and faced their elders to announce their pledge. Each of the 12 were asked to sign this statement, publicly introduce themselves and state their major.
Allied health senior Patricia Carter sang a stirring rendition of pop music artist Mariah Carey's "Hero," eliciting a standing ovation from the 80-plus people in attendance.
"It helped me refocus on what I need to do," said Erica Murrell, pharmacy freshman.
When asked whether or not celebrations like this will encourage more blacks to pursue medicine Murrell said that responsibility is "for those of us who go through it."
Norman McCoomer, a first-year medical student, said the ceremony was an "enlightening" experience for him, and that it "really set a precedent for what the students should anticipate...it's going to be a tough road, but we all can do it; we just need to keep on pushing forward."
In his address, Holsinger promised the students "access to all academic and human resources necessary to provide you with the information and support you require to be successful, and a socially comfortable, nurturing environment that will contribute to your meeting academic and professional objectives."
"Everybody has essentially the same message to give to students," said Anna R. Ellen, director of minority affairs at the Medical Center.
"We're saying, 'We're going to commit to you, but you have to commit to us.' They (black students) need to know that the majority institution is committed to all of its students."
There are 75 black students enrolled in the colleges of Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. For them, Fakhrid-Deen said, this event serves as an affirmation of their choice to study medicine, and the beginning of a challenging medical career.
"(The ceremony) recognizes cultural diversity, but at the same time, it reinforces the understanding for the students as to why they're here," he said. "We all have a calling, and students enter the medical profession because they care, because they want to build bridges as healers."
Though black students were formally showcased, Fakhrid-Deen said the ceremony should not be misinterpreted as "race-specific," and all were welcome to attend.
"This should not be misconstrued," he said. "There's no exclusivity here; it's very damaging when we stop looking at this as cultural."
Ellen said several colleges, including the Law School and the Carl Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics, have expressed an interest in holding such ceremonies.
Photo: CEREMONIAL MUSIC Lawrence Bowie, left, playing the tamba and Jerry Stevens, on guitar, were part of a foursome which entertained at the Medical Center's 'Opeing the Way' ceremoney to welcome students. SAM HAVERSTICK Kernel staff
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