Testimonials

"Everyone at TAYA and the St. Michaels community is incredibly thankful for the time and effort you have dedicated to sparking an interest in health careers for our students. The ITCH program truly benefits all of us by encouraging and supporting the next generation in healthcare. We are so fortunate to have had you bring this opportunity to the kids and our community.

Several parents have reached out to say that their children learned a lot and are eager to participate in more ITCH programming. I hope to have the chance to work with you both again in the future and will continue to share with others how impactful the ITCH program has been.

Thank you for everything you have done!"

Liz
Elizabeth Gonzalez, Executive Director
Tilghman Area Youth Association
P.O. Box 55, Tilghman, MD 21671
410.226.6373

"I've had the privilege of seeing the best and brightest minds in my patients as a pediatrician. The ITCH program has provided an excellent opportunity for them to learn about, explore, and achieve careers in medicine on the Eastern Shore.

As a mentor in the ITCH program, I've become part of a scaffold that educates, encourages, and supports our learners in their journey to becoming a medical professional. I am grateful to be a part of a program that will help the continued establishment and excellence of the medical community on the Eastern Shore."

Barbaratta Whitaker, M.D., M.S.
General Pediatrics
The Bay Pediatric Center

"Talbot County Public Schools is extremely grateful to have the support and enthusiasm that the ITCH program provides. This program is helping to increase interest and awareness of careers in the healthcare field among our students. By exposing our young people to careers in healthcare and showing them what is possible, ITCH is truly helping to build the next generation in this area. The connections that are being made for both our middle and high school students in the healthcare field are invaluable.

It has been a pleasure to transform and perform with ITCH since the inception and we look forward to continuing to work together to support our students!"

Sharon M. Pepukayi, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Talbot County Public Schools
sharon.pepukayi@talbotschools.org
p. 410-822-0330

"The ITCH program is amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring a career in healthcare. During the program, we had the privilege of listening to and learning from many fantastic healthcare professionals. Beyond the guest speakers, one of the best experiences was the hands-on learning. I also have a mentor to guide me as I continue my education and training to become a Pediatrician. The entire program inspired me and made me feel like I have a supportive team to walk this path with. It’s important to me to learn how to be a good doctor as well as a good human and I feel like ITCH can help me do both."

- London Davis

"We feel extraordinarily lucky to have found such a fantastic resource in ITCH. As a parent, the ITCH program is exactly the type of enriching experience you wish for your student to have. The hands-on training and knowledge shared by a variety of real-world professionals allowed my daughter to see the breadth of career possibilities within this field. I'm so grateful that she now has a mentor to seek guidance from as she pursues her education and career path. Thank you for investing in our youth! There is no doubt that ITCH is inspiring and equipping the next generation of competent and caring healthcare workforce."

- Heather Davis

"Building African American Minds (BAAM) participated in an ITCH program model that focused on careers in the healthcare industry. Some of these careers were in the medical field and others were related to non-medical careers that were utilized to support the operation of the hospital. The impact of this program was immediate with helping students to consider the various career opportunities that were available to them. All students completed a career survey prior to the first presentation to determine their career choice. A number of students selected careers related to sports and entertainment. However, after just a few weeks of presentations, students were selecting career choices based on information received from presenters. There is one student in particular who selected a professional football player as his career choice before participating in the program. His first choice is now to become an Orthopedic Surgeon. This change in his thinking about his career choice is a powerful example of what the ITCH program provided to help him understand the various opportunities that are available to him. BAAM is grateful for the partnership with the ITCH program and look forward to what the possibilities hold for students in the future."

- Dr. James Bell, Director of Instruction, Academic Support & Community Well-Being
Building African American Minds (BAAM)
31 Jowite St, Eason, MD 21601
jbell@baaminc.org