As Black doctors continue to be underrepresented in the U.S. health care system, a program based in Southeast D.C. is working to close that gap. The Young Doctors Project (YDP), a mentoring and training initiative for Black boys, is helping students prepare for careers in medicine while addressing health disparities in their communities.
NewsOne reports that the program, founded in 2012 by Drs. Malcolm Woodland and Torian Easterling, aims to boost the number of Black men entering health professions.
Despite making up roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population, Black physicians account for just 5.7 percent of the nation’s doctors, according to a 2025 analysis by KFF and the Association of American Medical Colleges.
That lack of representation has been linked to poorer health outcomes in Black communities, where access to culturally competent care remains limited.
The Young Doctors Project, a youth-led initiative supported by Howard University, aims to change that by training high school students in Southeast D.C. to become future health professionals while equipping them to serve their neighborhoods through free clinics and health education.
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The project is supported by Howard University’s College of Medicine and Department of Psychology. Each summer, students in grades eight through 12 take part in a four-week Summer Health Academy held on Howard’s campus. They continue with additional training on Saturdays throughout the school year.
Howard doctoral students lead the instruction, which focuses on preventive care, mental health, and common community health concerns. After a year of classroom work, students begin hands-on service learning. They help lead free health clinics at parks, churches, and community centers in Southeast D.C., all under the supervision of licensed medical staff.
The students offer health screenings, including blood pressure and vision checks, and lead workshops on nutrition and mental wellness. Organizers say the work builds both medical knowledge and leadership skills, while also bringing critical services to areas in need.
Dr. Woodland, a Howard alumnus and licensed psychologist, told The Bay State Banner on July 16 that the idea for the program came from his experience growing up in Southeast D.C.
“I got to thinking, our greatest asset is these children that everybody loves and knows, right? What if we turn them into health ambassadors in their neighborhoods?” Woodland told the Banner.
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YDP students also take part in special field trips and mentorship events. In June, a group from the D.C. chapter spent a day with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. They met with Black mental health leaders, heard personal stories, and learned about career paths in behavioral health, according to NewsOne.
Research supports the importance of increasing the number of Black doctors. A 2023 JAMA Network Open study found that for every 10 percent rise in Black primary care physicians in a county, life expectancy for Black residents rose by about a month. The study also showed drops in overall death rates and a narrowing of racial health gaps, particularly in high-poverty areas.
YDP currently operates in Washington, D.C., New York, and Roanoke, Virginia. Woodland said he wants the program to grow nationwide and continue for generations to come.
“I want it to be an institution. I want it to be a true pipeline,” he told The Bay State Banner. “It’s about brotherhood. It’s about support. It’s about creating spaces for the safe intellectual development of Black boys.”
By fostering long-term mentorship and hands-on medical training, YDP not only nurtures career ambition but also empowers students to become change agents in public health. For more on the program and its expansion plans, visit youngdoctorsdc.org.
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