Since 1998, the number of African-American males applying to and enrolling
in medical schools has declined steadily by 22 and 14 percent respectively,
according to data from the Association for American Medical Colleges.

Applicants declined from 1,155 to 891, and enrollees declined from 459 to 394.*

Albert Hicks and Leonard Mason, 2007 graduates of Temple University’s School of Medicine, understand the complexity of this problem firsthand and are committed to giving back to young African-American males the support and opportunities that were given to them.

Both students mentor young African-American males in the sciences.

“We have kids who just don’t know what’s out there because they don’t see folks like me in white coats. Exposure is number one. Then they need mentors to help guide them along the way,” Hicks said.

Hicks’ mother understood the importance of exposure. A nurse at Temple University Hospital for 17 years, she introduced young Albert to the African-American physicians there. Later, as he progressed from high school to college, she searched for a program that would foster his interest in becoming a doctor. She found the Future Physicians of America, a program at Temple’s School of Medicine that provides intensive preparation for minority students applying to medical school.

“If I hadn’t done Future Physicians, I wouldn’t be here,” Hicks said.

During high school, Hicks’ uncle had introduced him to the Franklin Institute’s Partnerships for Achieving Careers in Science and Technology, which Hicks was part of from 8th to 12th grade. Today, he’s still a member and mentors 10 young African-American students.

Leonard Mason’s mother also investigated opportunities in the sciences for her young son and found the Physician Scientist Training program at Temple’s School of Medicine. From 10th grade until his senior year in college, Mason spent his summers at the School of Medicine conducting scientific research and shadowing doctors in the hospital. He continues to mentor and give discussions about the medical school process to the current students in the program.

“The greatest gift is to give back to your community,” Mason said. “Especially in Philadelphia, troubled minority males need to see positive role models in the community. If you can just help one kid see that there are other things out there for them, you’ve done a lot.”

Hicks and Mason, both Philadelphia natives, earned their bachelor’s degrees at Howard University. Hicks, who also has received his master’s in public health from Temple’s dual MD/MPH degree program, will perform his residency in internal medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. Mason, who will be starting his residency in general surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, is getting married one week after Temple’s May 17 Commencement.

*Since 2002, medical school applicants have had the option of reporting both their race and ethnicity alone or in combination with some other race or ethnicity.