The Mental Health Equity and Inclusion Program Engages with Medical Students at the Annual Medical Education Conference in New Orleans

One of the main priorities of the Mental Health Equity and Inclusion Program is to enlarge the number of qualified students interested in pursuing careers in psychiatry. As an intentional effort to accomplish this goal, the program engaged with medical students at a national conference interested in learning more about residency training at UNC, future career options in psychiatry, the Triangle as a place to live, and how they may become more engaged in the pursuit of mental health equity.

One of the main priorities of the Mental Health Equity and Inclusion Program (MHEIP) is to enlarge the number of qualified students interested in pursuing careers in psychiatry. This is seen as a necessity in serving the community’s growing unmet need for physicians trained in general psychiatry and in its sub-specialties. By intentionally looking to engage with students who traditionally are not exposed to the ever-expanding career opportunities within psychiatry, the MHEIP is making long strides in improving access to quality care for all people. Although not an overnight solution to the mental health clinical workforce deficits or the need for varied lived experiences in clinical, research, and leadership positions, being present to engage with students one-on-one is a critical step.

Dr. Tyehimba Hunt-Harrison, Vice Chair of Mental Health Equity and Inclusion for the Department of Psychiatry, was joined by Dr. Anthony Kulukulualani , second year child and adolescent psychiatry fellow, Dr. Enioluwafe Ojo, third year psychiatry resident, and Dr. Angela Clayborne, second year psychiatry resident. They engaged with medical students from around the nation interested in  learning more about residency training at UNC, future career options in psychiatry, the Triangle as a place to live, and how they may become more engaged in the pursuit of mental health equity.

The Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC) is “the largest gathering of underrepresented minority medical and premedical students across the United States and the Caribbean… [and] gives attendees several days of innovative programming geared at preparing the next generation of physicians for successful careers in medicine. With tens of educational workshops and programs focused on academic and clinical success, professional development, and personal growth, AMEC is a premier experience that catapults attendees toward becoming “clinically excellent, culturally competent, & socially conscious” physicians.” ( accessed 4/2/2024)