ElevateMeD 2021 Impact

Are we elevating medicine? Here’s the proof! 

IMPACT REPORT

As with any non-profit organization on a mission, the greatest accomplishment is to be the change you wish you see and to create the impact that you seek to make. Since ElevateMeD launched in 2019, we’ve worked earnestly towards creating more diversity within medicine by supporting the next generation of physician leaders. This year has helped us to see clearly the fruits of our labor.

There are others doing the same necessary work yet through our lens, we understand the journey to medicine requires time, attention, and resources to ensure that deserving medical students of underrepresented backgrounds can thrive without the critical burdens often experienced. That understanding has led us to provide these deserving students with financial scholarships, mentorship, leadership training, and financial wellness education.

In addition to this year’s impact report quantifying our results over the past year, we are proud to share highlights of 2021 that are proof that together, we are in fact elevating medicine.

Five Scholars graduated and became Physicians 

Five Scholars from our first cohort have completed their medical school journeys and become physicians. Of our five graduates, four of them were admitted into their #1 residency program choice. One graduate matched in one of their top 10 choices in a highly competitive field.

We are proud of their commitment to serving in medicine and look forward to continuing to partner with them as they enter their new journey as resident physicians. Congratulations to our five #ElevateMeD Scholar graduates Dr. Anthony Osifuye, Dr. Kalonji Cole, Dr. Christian Freeman, Dr. Aaron Bia, and Dr. Harvey Lewis.

Created new Partnerships

Partnerships help us advance our mission forward with resources that can provide us with strategic growth. Of our new partnerships we are excited to have received:

• A $10,000 grant from Bristol Myers Squibb to sponsor the first Scholars Summit

• Pro-Bono services from Guidehouse to help us develop a strategic business plan 

• A $100,000 grant from Mayo Clinic to help end racism in healthcare 

• A gift of $52,647 from All Medical Personnel as their new nonprofit partner for 2021

• Sponsorship from Petsmart, Novocure, Council and Associates, Optum, Titos, Barrow Brain and Spine, National Financial Group, and Martelle Chapital-Smith and Family at our 2021 Explosion of a Dream Event

Hosted our first Scholars Summit

Our first Scholars Summit featured four elements: a storytelling session with storytelling coach Doug Stevenson, a wellness and balance session with wellness expert Keith Jones, a lunch and learn session with Reuben Lewis of National Financial Group, as well as the opportunity to take professional headshots with The Social Photog. We are grateful for the opportunity to engage in person with our Scholars and thank our sponsors Mayo Clinic and Bristol Myers Squibb for making this event possible.

Raised over $200,000 at The Explosion of A Dream

On October 2, 2021, we proudly hosted our third annual Explosion of a Dream fundraiser at Scottsdale Hangar One. That evening, supporters from across the country joined us as we raised over $200,000 for the future of medicine with generous donations, partnerships, and our auction. 

Presented a $50,000 award to Caylan Moore on behalf of Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation

Dr. Timothy Gooding and Mrs. Alisa Diggs-Gooding of the Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation presented an additional $50,000 grant to ElevateMeD Scholar Caylan Moore. When presented, the award was the largest private single donation made to our organization.

Hosted our first Black Men in Medicine panel discussion

Thanks to the generosity of Black Men In White Coats, the organization was able to host a FREE virtual screening of the BlackMenInWhiteCoats documentary followed by our first-panel discussion! The event was moderated by Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE, and featured panelists  Dr. Andrew Sanderson II, MD, MPH, FASGE, Dr. Brian Hardaway, MD, Dr. Kalonji Cole, 2020-2021 ElevateMeD Scholar, and Jordan Edwards, 2021-2022 ElevateMeD Scholar at Charles R. Drew University. 

Presented the first Breaking Barriers Award to Dr. Dale Okorodudu

At the 2021 Explosion of a Dream event, we presented our first Breaking Barriers Award to

diversity trailblazer Dr. Dale Okorodudu, founder of Black Men In White Coats and Diverse Medicine. The Breaking Barriers Award is awarded to physician leaders whose work addressing healthcare disparities is positively and innovatively impacting diversity within medicine. Annually, our Board of Directors will vote upon an outstanding individual to receive this honor.

Revealed a new giving level: Securing the Future of Medicine

On October 2, 2021, we revealed a new donor level titled, “Securing the Future of Medicine”, in honor of the late Diana ‘DeeDee’ Issacs Sturr (aka Wonder Woman). Diana was a dynamic patient of Dr. Alyx Porter who requested gifts be made to the organization in her memory.

Raised over $8,000 on #GivingTuesday

Each year the global nonprofit fundraising event #GivingTuesday takes place where we are able to participate. Thanks to donations made online and the match program from Facebook, we raised more than $8,000 towards the Scholars Program.

Opened our new online shop

We continue to innovatively provide ways for you to support our mission. This Fall, we opened a new online shop at elevatemed.org/shop. Here you can purchase apparel and notebooks to show your support every day, with proceeds supporting the Scholars Program.