Get ready for another "sold out" Dare to be a Doctor conference on Oct. 17 at the White Plains County Center. Last year, more than 550 students and 200 parents and school staff attended Rx For Success: Dare to be a Doctor, a career conference designed to introduce minority and disadvantaged students in middle and high school to the medical field and to motivate them to pursue a career in medicine.

Due to the success of last year’s event, a similar conference will be held and open to middle school, high school and college minority students interested in careers in the health professions. We suggest that students register early by downloading, completing and mailing in the registration form.

During last year'sconference, students participated in workshops conducted by more than 20 prominent African American and Hispanic physicians who represented a wide range of specialties from cardiology to plastic surgery, from OB-Gyn to pharmacy. Students got a glimpse of a day in the life of a health professional and had an opportunity to speak one-on-one with doctors about their careers.

Students also had the opportunity to visit an exhibit area, where close to 30 health-related agencies provided additional information on volunteer opportunities, internship programs and career development resources. Interested vendors should send in a completed exhibitor registration form along with a check to cover the exhibitor fees if they want to secure a spot at this highly attended event.

Experts agree that in order to improve the health of Black and Hispanic residents and to reduce health care disparities, our efforts should be focused on getting more minority physicians and other health providers. We all know the road to becoming a doctor or working in the medical profession is not easy. And, it can be even harder for minority and disadvantaged students.

The conference was part of a countywide mentoring initiative recommended by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Health Care Disparities.

Students can also submit their e-mail address to receive additional information on this year’s conference and other forums planned on selected topics relating to the medical field.