How did Myriad Genetics become a donor and partner of BPOU ? Myriad Genetics became a proud partner and sponsor to BPOU in the fall of 2022. I met Dr. Ferguson at the first family fitness day BPOU held. As not only a member of the Black community, but also the local account executive for Myriad Genetics covering both oncology and women’s health, as soon as I heard BPOU’s mission it aligned so closely with the importance there is in educating our community for me personally and in the line of work I do for Myriad. Myriad’s mission is to provide equitable and accessible care to all patients, but especially patients from underrepresented populations nationwide. Upon meeting, Dr. Baiden and Dr. Ferguson and I discussed how Black women are more likely to become diagnosed with breast cancer earlier, and at a more aggressive stage and realized that there is a great opportunity for increasing educational opportunities to both providers and patients alike in our community and myself and Myriad, couldn’t be more thankful and grateful to work alongside such an amazing organization like BPOU. What event has Myriad sponsored that has been most impactful? I have attended quite a few BPOU events, so it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. They are all different and that’s what I love most about being a partner to BPOU!  I engage with almost every provider specialty in the state in my current role at Myriad, so every event has been impactful whether it has been related to oncology, prenatal care or family medicine care. I’ve had the privilege to have dynamic conversations with many providers who are either BPOU members or event attendees about how genetic testing can be used to help support them in their practice. Outside of genetic testing based conversations, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the events organized for both young black students and medical students because they make me feel excited for the future of the black community in Utah. There are so many talented minds, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.  In what way do you think BPOU will benefit utah? BPOU means giving our providers and community leaders a the ability to educate and engage the community. BPOU creates opportunities to give our future physicians and community leaders the mentorship, resources, and support they need to have a sense of community here in Utah that will foster a safe environment for black physicians, to support their black patients in Utah.  In addition to fostering the growth of the black physician network, it’s a combined effort to equally expand healthcare access and knowledge within the black community in Utah and slowly begin to close the gap between healthcare inequities and disparities for underrepresented and underserved patients.

Why did you want to become a doctor? Dr. Michael Chen wanted to become a doctor because he had a good experience with his pediatrician. His experience with his pediatrician, involvement in community service, and other volunteer endeavors was an inspiration in him pursuing medicine. This eventually led to his interest in practicing Family medicine.  Through shadowing, he continued his love for medicine and primary care. He attended the University of Utah for undergrad and Medical school and later pursued residency through Utah Valley University. Dr. Chen believes that being a physician is a rewarding career with the main benefit of truly getting to help people everyday. Who encouraged you or mentored you on your way to becoming a doctor? Family physicians through the University of Utah specifically Dr. Karly Pippitt and Dr. Marlana Li. Seeing them interact with parents and how their patients felt towards them was an inspiration to Dr. Chen. Which made him want to build that same interaction with his patients, but also be one of their patients as well (jokingly). Dr. Chen’s mentors consistently made time for their patients and students which was an admirable quality that Dr. Chen praised. In what way do you think BPOU will benefit utah? “It’s important to have providers that represent the diversity of Utah. There is plenty of research that supports the fact that quality of healthcare improves when physicians can relate to a patients’ culture/identity. Through BPO’s events, outreach, and mentorship we are able to improve the health outcomes of Utahns.” Dr. Chen joined BPOU because it was an important organization doing amazing work within the community that he felt was significant enough to devote time to and participate in.