The AHANA-MAPS Pre-Health Society, a UW–Madison student organization for African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American students, hosted its 13th annual Healthcare Disparities Conference on April 12, 2025. The theme of this conference was “Health Equity & Drawing Strengths from Our Journeys,” which focused on turning cultural backgrounds, personal histories, and unique challenges into strengths as these students pursue meaningful careers in healthcare. Approximately 25 undergraduate students attended the conference.
Dr. Adam De Jesus, a general surgery resident, was the keynote speaker for the event. The Department of Surgery also hosted an interactive session for students where they rotated through different stations, including laparoscopic skills, suturing and knot tying. Faculty members Drs. Courtney Morgan, Alexander Chiu, and Katherine Bakke, and residents Drs. Faith Dickerson, Dawda Jawara, and Roy Chebel, assisted with the interactive session. Dr. Amber Shada, Associate Professor in the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, narrated a recording of a robotic surgery for students to engage with. The conference wrapped up with a Q&A discussion between the students and Department of Surgery faculty and residents.