LOTA OJIAKO WIDENS THE WELCOME IN STEM

Technology in healthcare and engineering is ever evolving, advancing in ways that are faster than people can keep up with. As artificial intelligence makes its way into the lives of everyday citizens, now it’s imperative more than ever that no one gets left behind.

Since the 1940s, the percentage of Black American male doctors in the nation has mostly remained static, but recently there has been a steady decline. According to Zebralter Medical, a nonprofit Burr Ridge-based organization dedicated to connecting Black scientists to communities of color, less than six percent of the nation’s doctors are Black, less than four percent are dentists, and less than seven percent are nurse practitioners.

They also report that 40 percent of Black students who go into college to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), will switch majors around their sophomore year mostly due to isolation and course load. Currently, less than seven percent actually graduate. What’s even more alarming is that Zebralter Medical reports that Black people, even when adjusting for economic background, social status, and educational level, still suffer the worst healthcare outcomes compared to any other race.

Dr. Lota Ojiako is aiming to change that.

“Science is the bedrock of the nation,” says Dr. Ojiako, founder of Zebralter Medical. “One of the major drivers of strong communities is education and job earnings, and with jobs in STEM increasing at a rapid rate, it matters that no community is left behind.”

To assist this matter, Zebralter Medical offers a free healthcare app, Melanin Medical Specialties (MMS), connecting Black healthcare professionals to communities of color. MMS is the only app of its kind that connects mentees to mentors, while answering STEM and career-related questions. The app also assists healthcare trainees seeking advanced specialization get and stay connected with those in similar fields. Underrepresented minorities can find doctors within their racial demographics in order to help bridge the diversity gap in healthcare through the app, get lifetime success tips that make an impact regardless of age, demographic, race, and background; and leave the user feeling inspired by use of the “Be Inspired” page that focuses on Black Americans with motivational and inspirational stories.

“One of the reasons why Zebralter Medical and the MMS app matters is visibility,” says Dr. Ojiako. “You aspire to what you see.” With a pool of diverse Black healthcare professionals of different fields, their image, success tips, mentor-and-mentee connection at the tip of users fingertips, Zebralter Medical leverages technology to bring action-oriented results, she says.

In addition to the app, Zebralter is fundraising for its newest initiative, STEM Pipeline Program. The program intends to provide a longitudinal program that will work with students in high school and college consisting of mentoring and education. “The program will provide enrichment classes during the school year and also offer a two-week summer program offering oral-presentation workshops and STEM classes,” says Dr. Ojiako.

Healthcare professionals will also be available to connect with students and mentor them while exploring career options during in-person summer camps. “Students will be exposed to a varied array of career options and build upon what’s available to them in healthcare,” she says.

“The pipeline program will help build not just a strong STEM foundation, but confident oral presentation skills for students which will help them navigate high school and college life,” says Dr. Ojiako. “Our program will support graduating students through mentor-and-mentee connections not just in high school, but in college as well decreasing the feeling of isolation and switching majors,” she says.

Partnering with the Black Alumni Network of University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, this new program will give out annual awards to deserving undergraduate students in STEM who demonstrate leadership in the community.

In order to raise awareness of Zebralter Medical’s vision and mission, its first fundraising event will be held at the Doubletree Hilton in Oakbrook on October 21st. The evening will include a cocktail reception, live music, award ceremony, prizes, raffle, fashion show, and dancing.

“As a local resident of Burr Ridge for over 15 years and active parishioner at Our Lady of Peace, I have seen firsthand the kindness and generosity of our community,” says Dr. Ojiako. “The desire to bring about change, foster diversity and equip disadvantaged families with tools to better themselves is at the core of who we are and our organization rooted locally has a nationwide reach, with a mission to bridge the STEM gap.”

For more information, visit zebraltermedical.org.