From Seventh Grade to White Coats
Five NewYork-Presbyterian Lang Youth Medical Program graduates share the lessons, memories, and mentorship that inspired them to pursue careers in medicine.
Every year, the NewYork-Presbyterian Lang Youth Medical Program honors a new class of middle and high school students with white coats for completing their first and third years of the program. Lang Youth is an extra-curricular program that starts in seventh grade and mirrors medical school, providing students with a comprehensive overview of anatomy, pathology, and community health. Since its inception in 2003, Lang Youth has served 295 students, and of the 191 alumni, 99% have attended a four-year undergraduate institution.
To mark the white coat ceremony, Health Matters asked five alumni who are now in their first year of medical school about their favorite memories and the advice they would give to the new class of Lang Youth students.
Maya Gomez
I will be graduating from….
CUNY School of Medicine (Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Sciences)
I grew up in…
Inwood
I want to be an…
OB-GYN
The best thing about med school is…
The opportunity to learn directly from patients. Every interaction reinforces why I chose this path and helps me grow not only as a future clinician but also as a person.
My favorite memory of Lang Youth is…
During the summers of 10th and 11th grades, I witnessed firsthand the power of compassionate patient care and had a mentor who influenced my interest in obstetrics and gynecology. I also cherish the retreats, which helped me build lasting friendships and a community.
Lang Youth prepared me for med school by…
Teaching me to advocate for myself, work collaboratively, and engage in patient care with empathy and cultural awareness — all skills that have been essential in medical school. It also instilled life principles, like professionalism, punctuality, and respect for those around me.
The advice I’d give to the new Lang Youth grads is…
Trust the process and believe in your ability to succeed. There will be challenges along the way, but each step is leading you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Clarence Perez-Mejia
I will be graduating from….
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
I grew up in…
Washington Heights
I want to be a…
I’m undecided, but I have preference for primary care.
The best thing about med school is…
Working at the Columbia-Harlem Health and Medical Partnership, a student-run free clinic. Every time I learn something new, I feel one step closer to helping patients receive the care they deserve.
My favorite memory of Lang Youth is…
My first internship in the radiation oncology department. I attended physician tumor boards, assisted with patient transport, and talked to patients as they awaited their treatment. The interactions with patients and contributing to their care was an experience I have cherished ever since, which led to where I am today.
Lang Youth prepared me for med school by…
Providing mentorship. My mentors gave me space to ask questions. They nurtured my interest in the sciences and, most importantly, gave me a chance to envision myself in the medical field.
The advice I’d give to the new Lang Youth grads…
Love yourself no matter what happens. Learn to accept that you’re not good at everything — recognizing your weaknesses helps you overcome and appreciate the challenges.
Jhon Burrosa
I will be graduating from….
CUNY School of Medicine (Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Sciences)
I grew up in…
Inwood
I want to be an…
Internal Medicine physician (Oncology) or Anesthesiologist
The best thing about med school is…
The clinical experiences, because you see how important a patient-physician relationship is.
My favorite memory of Lang Youth is…
In my junior year of high school, I was an intern in the perfusion department at NewYork-Presbyterian. It made me realize that medicine is the only career I wish to pursue.
Lang Youth prepared me for med school by…
Developing my professionalism. Waking up early every Saturday morning, having to dress professionally and wear that white coat was, in a way, a simulation of what was to come. Now I have to uphold the standards of what it means to wear that white coat, and Lang Youth helped me learn this early on.
The advice I’d give to the new Lang Youth grads…
There is value in every interaction you have with other people. Learn about the careers of those who came before you, be a sponge for information, and ask questions.
Shayna Cody
I will be graduating from….
Tulane University School of Medicine
I grew up in…
Harlem and Washington Heights
I want to be a…
Cardiologist
The best thing about med school is…
The friends I have made, who motivate and inspire me. I also love anatomy classes, where I have the privilege of learning in-depth about the human body.
My favorite memory of Lang Youth is…
When we slept overnight in a Sikh temple. The next day, for a trust-building exercise, we traveled around New York City together without the use of maps or technology.
Lang Youth prepared me for med school by…
The shadowing and internship opportunities, and the discipline involved in attending class on Saturday mornings. I have many mentors whom I speak with to this day.
The advice I’d give to the new Lang Youth grads…
Believe in yourself and know that even when the road looks tough, keep the faith. Know that one day, you will make it!
Justin Rosario
I will be graduating from….
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
I grew up in…
El Barrio Harlem and Bronx University Heights
I want to be a…
Thoracic Surgeon
The best thing about med school is…
Being able to learn the detailed mechanisms behind disease.
Lang Youth prepared me for med school by…
Exposing me to multiple specialties in medicine and allowing me to generate an early interest in surgery. I also learned how to reach out for mentorship.
The advice I’d give to the new Lang Youth grads…
Continue to nurture the mentorship relationships you develop early in your medical journey.
Additional Resources
- Learn more about the Lang Youth Medical Program at NewYork-Presbyterian.