(upbeat music) - Black Physicians of Utah works towards achieving health equity for Black and underserved Utahns.

Dr. Richard Ferguson and Dr. Kamisha L. Johnson-Davis are here to tell us about an upcoming June event.

Hi, welcome, both.

So let's start with you, Dr. Ferguson.

Why are you doing an ARUP day?

- Well, what's most important, I think, is addressing the gap in STEM fields.

Right now, many people think of BPOU, and what's important is trying to create more Black physicians.

But also it's important that we create physician scientists and scientists in general that are from underrepresented marginalized communities.

And partnering with ARUP I feel is one way to demonstrate that many of these Black youth and underrepresented youth in Utah can see themselves in science.

- Oh, that's great.

And and why don't you talk to us, Dr. Johnson-Davis, about what's happening during this special day.

- Sure.

ARUP Laboratories is a reference lab and provides a lot of support for testing for hospitals.

And so this is an opportunity for students to get to see the laboratory and a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes in laboratory medicine and pathology.

So this summer research day will provide an opportunity for students to take a tour of the laboratory and to see individual laboratories in immunology, in chemistry, as well as our specimen receiving area, which is highly automated.

So this is a great opportunity for students to see the actual lab.

- Oh, that's great.

And I know a diverse workforce is really important.

Dr. Ferguson, just briefly talk about that.

- I think with many people sometimes fail to sometimes understand that diverse work culture in not only business, finance, but also in medicine, and particularly when it comes to scientific studies, improves healthcare outcomes and scientific outcomes, particularly when it comes to clinical trial research and pharmacy development, pharmaceutical development.

- Well, it's wonderful you're doing this, and thank you for what you're doing.

Thanks for being here.

And if you would like to know more about that upcoming Black Physicians of Utah Summer Research Day with ARUP, it's June 5th from nine to two at Research Park, 500 Chipeta Way.

Go to bpou.org.

That's bpou.org.

I'm Mary Dickson.

Thanks for watching Contact.

(upbeat music) - Local events, arts, culture.

It's what brings us together.

Hi, I'm Mary Dickson.

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