The Endocrine Society’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (CoDI) launched The Future of Endocrinology Video Competition this year to further prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the academic cycle. Endocrine News chatted with three of this year’s contest winners about their own goals and the importance of such programs.
For Arthur Registre, the Endocrine Society’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion’s (CoDI) inaugural video contest was the perfect way to showcase his unique perspective from his Caribbean background.
“I originate from a Haitian and Grenadian background, and within the Caribbean community, endocrine disorders are prevalent, such as diabetes,” says Registre. “Unfortunately, the resources necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment remain primarily inaccessible, leading many people to suffer from untreated diabetes and its effects. I was interested in applying and attending ENDO 2023 to learn more about the field of endocrinology.”
The goal of the new video contest was to create an opportunity for students who are interested in practicing medicine or conducting research in endocrinology to attend ENDO 2023, offering them valuable opportunities for learning and networking, says Nazila Jamshidi, the Society’s manager for Diversity Programs. “The Endocrine Society Committee on Diversity and Inclusion recognizes the vital importance of supporting future endocrinologists while prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the academic journey,” she adds.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Registre was one of the eight contest winners who received free registration to the annual ENDO conference that was held in Chicago in June. Applicants were asked to record a brief video of why they are interested in endocrinology and why they would like to attend the ENDO 2023 conference. Those who identified as underrepresented in medicine were encouraged to apply and all applicants were required to be in their third or fourth year of undergraduate studies, graduate school, medical school, or a new resident or postdoc.
“If endocrinology is your passion, this competition offers an ideal stage to showcase your dedication and commitment to the field. It’s important to understand that success isn’t solely defined by the outcome, but by the effort you invest.” – Arthur Registre, 2023 CoDI Video Contest Winner
Anna Mazurenko, who recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia, was another contest winner. “As I was an undergraduate student back when I was applying to go to ENDO 2023, I struggled to find funding and support for my travel and conference expenses,” she says. “Unfortunately, undergraduate students just don’t get the same monetary support as graduate students and beyond. When I saw this competition and its availability to undergraduate students, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to get support in attending the conference and to discuss my experience in endocrinology as a woman and a second-generation immigrant.”
Registre was a student at Penn State University at the time he submitted his video but is now attending the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy. He is working toward a master’s in public health with a focus on community health.
“My graduate studies serve as the foundation upon which I intend to build my career aspirations, aiming to provide compassionate care to communities that have endured systemic negligence,” he says. “In my studies, I am learning about social determinants of health and health policy dynamics, and I am eager to utilize them in my career.”
Registre says he plans to attend medical school and become a physician dedicated to addressing the healthcare disparities disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. “I believe healthcare should be anchored in a holistic understanding of each patient’s unique circumstances, prioritizing personalized care as the cornerstone of medical practice,” he explains.
In her video, Mazurenko shares her desire to follow in her immigrant mother’s footsteps with a career in medicine. She says her goal is to help better understand the “crucial contribution of endocrinology for our health and function, one hormone at a time.”
Sharing Dreams
Contest organizers selected the eight most compelling stories from the submissions and the winners also had the opportunity to participate in the full-day Early Career Forum and attend several CoDI sessions and professional development workshops.
“When I saw this competition and its availability to undergraduate students, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to get support in attending the conference and to discuss my experience in endocrinology as a woman and a second-generation immigrant.” – Anna Mazurenko, 2023 CoDI Video Contest Winner
“I went to all of the lectures on trans/gender-diverse care and the professionals presenting were amazing,” says contest winner Victoria Cammarano of Valparaiso University. “I also spent a lot of time networking with clinicians because transgender specialists are relatively sparse, especially in the Midwest. I made a lot of valuable contacts, on top of meeting so many wonderful people.”
Cammarano shared her dream of working with transgender and gender-diverse patients “in a way that makes them feel safe and supported” in her video submission. Working in a multidisciplinary center for transgender care is an ultimate goal.
“The Early Career Forum was also an even better experience than I could’ve dreamed of,” Cammarano adds. “I learned so much about career building, networking, marketing, CV writing, and more. I feel more than prepared to go forward with my career, and a lot of that confidence is due to what I learned at the career forum.”
Jamshidi says plans for next year’s CoDI video contest will focus on students from Boston area universities, the host city of ENDO 2024. In addition to free ENDO registration, winners also receive a one-year membership to the Society.
“We aspire to welcome a greater number of students and share more compelling stories from underrepresented communities during ENDO 2024,” Jamshidi says. “Our goal is to introduce students from underrecognized minority communities to various specialties in endocrinology and provide them with the opportunity to hear from leading figures in those areas. We look forward to expanding our outreach and impact in the year ahead.”
Focus on Experiences, Not Qualifications
For students considering entering next year’s contest, this year’s winners shared some sage advice.
“I would advise that any applicants talk honestly and from the heart,” Mazurenko says. “I took the approach of focusing on my experiences and desires, instead of creating and regurgitating a list of qualifications and how I fit them. Everyone has a unique life experience that interacts with their career choice, and I would recommend really tapping into how your life story led to where you are within the field of endocrinology today.”
“The Early Career Forum was also an even better experience than I could’ve dreamed of. I learned so much about career building, networking, marketing, CV writing, and more. I feel more than prepared to go forward with my career, and a lot of that confidence is due to what I learned at the career forum.” – Victoria Cammarano, 2023 CoDI Video Contest Winner
Registre agrees. “I encourage [anyone interested] to seize this unique opportunity with determination,” he says. “If endocrinology is your passion, this competition offers an ideal stage to showcase your dedication and commitment to the field. It’s important to understand that success isn’t solely defined by the outcome, but by the effort you invest.”
Fauntleroy Shaw is a freelance writer based in Carmel, Ind., and a frequent contributor to Endocrine News.
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