Four years ago, Jericho Road Community Health Center launched a bold idea: to inspire young people from Buffalo’s East Side to see themselves in medicine. Today, that idea has grown into the Empowering & Mentoring in Medicine (EMIM) Summer Internship Program, a hands-on experience that’s shaping the future of healthcare—one student at a time.
Since 2021, 39 high school students have completed the EMIM program. Of those, 15 are now pursuing higher education in medicine—an achievement that stands as a powerful testament to what early exposure, mentorship, and opportunity can do.
And yet, the need for programs like EMIM has never been greater. Did you know there are fewer black and Brown men in medical school today than there were 40 years ago? The pipeline to medicine remains uneven, and breaking down barriers takes intentional investment.
That’s why we’re so grateful for you—our supporters, donors, and partners—who have kept this program going strong for four years. Your generosity fuels every mentorship, every clinical shadowing experience, every moment when a student says, “I can see myself in this role.”
Building Confidence, Skills, and Purpose
This summer’s 2025 cohort included 11 students from across Buffalo’s East Side. From July 7 through August 14, participants completed 28 sessions, 27 skill-building activities, 10 shadowing experiences, and formed 11 lasting mentorship relationships with healthcare professionals.
They explored everything from mental health and health literacy to cultural identity and professional communication. Campus tours at D’Youville University, University of Buffalo, Canisius, and others opened doors to higher education opportunities, while volunteering at Harvest House deepened their connection to community care.
The results speak for themselves:
- 92% of students completed the program.
- 99% participated in daily sessions and rotations.
- 100% reported high satisfaction with the experience and mentorship.
“It Made Me Even More Certain”
For many students, EMIM is more than a summer program—it’s a turning point.
“Being in this program made me feel as if I now have an upper hand and know what to expect in what I want to go into and what the medical field entails,” one participant shared. “It made me more passionate and confident about my career goal.”
Another student reflected,
“My experience was really eye-opening. I got to shadow real healthcare professionals, learn hands-on skills, and gain confidence in how to talk to patients. It showed me—yes, I picked this. This is what I want to do.”
Each story underscores the heart of EMIM: exposure, mentorship, and empowerment.
Looking Ahead to Year Five
As we look toward Summer 2026, we are filled with hope—and determination. Our goal this spring is to raise the funding needed to support the fifth EMIM cohort, expanding opportunities for more students to see their future in healthcare.
With the continued generosity of our supporters, we can keep the doors of possibility open for Buffalo’s next generation of doctors, nurses, and medical professionals.
Thank you for believing in this vision, for investing in these young minds, and for helping us build a healthier, more just future—right here at home.
