New student organization creates health care community for students of color

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, Black students made up 10% of American students in medical schools in 2022. Hispanic, Latino and students of Spanish origin made up 12%.

It doesn’t take a formal diagnosis for one to understand that those numbers do not add up. Students of color are underrepresented in the medical learning space, just as people of color are underrepresented by their medical providers.

Nevaeh Fischer of Louisville is the founder and president of Hues in Medicine, a student organization at the University of Kentucky dedicated to encouraging the growth of underrepresented groups within the health care field.

“I had a difficult time adjusting to the University of Kentucky due to the low presence of minority students in my pre-health courses such as biology and chemistry,” said Fischer, a pre-med student majoring in psychology. “I was extremely discouraged, and wanted to find a way to stay motivated.”

Hues in Medicine originally started as Fischer’s personal blog. In sharing her own stories, she started hearing from other students who were experiencing the same sense of discomfort she was.

“In the summer of 2021, I decided to register Hues in Medicine as a student organization,” Fischer said. “There was truly a need for a space that reaffirmed minority students that they are capable of achieving their goals.”

Now the organization is geared toward giving its members all the tools they may need to succeed in their pre-health care careers. On social media during Black History Month, the organization is highlighting Black medical providers throughout history that have broken down barriers and paved the way for today's Black health care providers. Hues dedicates their online space to posting content including the history of medicine, health care providers, mental health tips, study group information and recaps from successful events. They host Hues Week in October, a week full of events to directly expose them to that directly expose members to hands-on medical field experience.

“This past year we went to a gross anatomy lab, suture clinics, a Narcan administration training and Stop the Bleed training,” said Fischer.

Another event Hues participates in is the Future Health Professionals Conference. In this space students hear directly from health care professionals, UK HealthCare programs and resources/offices on campus.There are sessions on interviewing, test preparation for exams like the MCAT and NCLEX, resume and internship preparation, and many other resources.

Fischer’s main hope for the future is to see more students benefit from the community that Hues provides.

“I really want the work we do here to be long-lasting,” Fischer said. “A huge goal of mine is to have Hues in Medicine chapters at other schools in Kentucky.”

“Everybody that is a part of Hues is so supportive and uplifting,” said first-year member and pre-nursing major KaLeah Steed of Atlanta. “They are there during the most stressful times and your highest moments during the health care journey.”

Hues in Medicine has three main cohorts of pre-medicine students, pre-nursing students and pre-physician assistant students. For more information on the work Hues in Medicine does, or to get involved, find them on Instagram at @HuesInMedicine.

“My involvement in this organization has allowed me to connect with so many amazing students, teachers, administrative staff and health professionals,” said Fischer. “It truly made my experience at UK very enjoyable and worthwhile.”