After launching diversity program, former UK student now finds success as a doctor

A meeting in early 2010 sparked Dr. Ima Ebong's passion to advocate for greater minority representation in medical school – a passion that has propelled her to national recognition for her work.

Ebong, a Nigerian-Bahamian who came to the UK College of Medicine after receiving bachelor's and master's degrees from Georgia Tech, was initially dismayed by the small number of students of color. But the then-first-year medical student thought to herself: "Ima, don't just complain about it. Be a part of the solution!'" 

Creating a solution

Ebong had participated in a program at Georgia Tech called FOCUS, which encourages underrepresented minority students to pursue graduate education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. She scheduled a meeting with Dr. Carol Elam, associate dean for admissions and institutional advancement, to talk about the initiative. From that meeting, the UK Minority Education Development (UKMED) program was born. 

UKMED focuses on students who are black, Hispanic or Middle Eastern as well as first-generation college students or those from rural Appalachia or an underserved rural area. The program hosts a two-day event that functions as a mini-medical school by including lectures and hands-on learning in simulation centers. Additionally, the program offers opportunities to network with students, faculty and medical school administrators who provide guidance on the admissions and financial aid processes. 

"It was wonderful to see these young people light up and begin to envision themselves as part of a future class," said Ebong. 

The growth of UKMED

Ebong thinks it's essential that students run the program because their perspective is vital. Now in its tenth year, the program is still student-led and enthusiastically embraced by UK College of Medicine administration. 

"UKMED offers a more structured approach to minority recruitment in an appealing way," said Elam. "Including medical students in the process has been key to our success, as we are able to connect with prospects with more impact. UKMED is a valuable tool to inspire underrepresented students and reduce the barriers that currently exist for minority student matriculation to medical schools."

That success is reflected in the numbers. Of the 130 pre-med students who participated in the UKMED program between 2010 and 2016, 58 percent of them applied to the UK College of Medicine. About one-fourth of those were accepted and matriculated, and all but one have graduated. 

Ebong's continued success

As UKMED continued to grow, Ebong graduated, completed a neurology residency and a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, and then returned to UK this past August to become an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology. She now serves as UKMED's faculty advisor and a pipeline advisor in the College of Medicine.

"The cohort is so much bigger and more selective than when it started," she said. "There's always room for improvement, but I'm thrilled about what this program has become."

Fueled by her earlier success, Ebong applied for – and was accepted to – the American Academy of Neurology's Diversity Leadership Program. Ebong was just one of 10 acceptances and is now sharing her experience with colleagues from the likes of the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, University of Michigan and Rush Medical Center of Chicago. 

The program is wonderful in two ways. "We work together on a project that is intended to have a positive impact on the field of neurology," she said. "But the program also forces us to be introspective. By doing so, we become more effective leaders, which we can bring back home to inspire others."

Ebong is among the youngest in the cohort. "I'm so glad I started this early in my career," Ebong said. "I have places to go! The leadership skills I'm developing and mastering will propel me."