Our Interview with Ellana Stinson, MD, MPH, President of the New England Medical Association

Ellana Stinson, MD, MPH, is the president of the New England Medical Association.

Can you tell us about the New England Medical Association, its mission, and the role it plays in supporting physicians and advancing healthcare in the New England community?

NEMA is a non-profit organization advancing health equity in New England by empowering Black physicians to lead, advocate, mentor, and serve their communities. Our mission is to build, empower, and mobilize a community of Black physicians to advance health equity, develop future leaders, and improve the health of underserved communities across New England. We envision a healthcare system where every community has equitable health outcomes and Black physicians are empowered to lead, advocate, and thrive.

Our work rests on four pillars:

• Leadership. We cultivate and connect Black physicians at every stage of their careers, from students and residents to senior leaders. We do this through mentorship, professional development, and collaboration.
• Advocacy. We push for policies and partnerships that eliminate health disparities. We work alongside elected officials and with health systems.
• Community. We create spaces where Black physicians can learn, support one another, and strengthen their collective voice. Programs like Joy in Medicine, the White Coat Trauma Series, and Hoops & Healing take on physician wellbeing and the isolation many of our members face.
• Impact. Through education, research, and community engagement, we work to improve outcomes for patients. This includes the Heart & Mind Program, our peer-reviewed research, and the Stethoscope Stories podcast, which shares the voices behind the white coat.

We see ourselves as a convener of leaders.  When Black physicians are supported to thrive, patients and communities across New England get healthier.

What advice would you give pre-med students preparing for medical school who hope to build a strong foundation for a career in medicine?

First, master the fundamentals. The sciences you learn now are the language you'll use for the rest of your career, and an upward grade trend tells a story of growth. Second, get close to patients early through clinical volunteering, scribing, or EMT work. That experience confirms your calling and gives you real stories to tell.

Most importantly, find mentors and a community. Mentorship is at the heart of what NEMA does, because we know how much it matters, especially for students who don't see many physicians who look like them. Connect with physician organizations, your school's SNMA or pre-health groups, and people a few steps ahead of you.

Finally, take care of yourself now. Through our Joy in Medicine and White Coat Trauma work, we hear from physicians about burnout that often starts long before residency. The habits you build today around rest, boundaries, and asking for help will sustain you.

What qualities, experiences, and skills help aspiring physicians stand out in the medical school admissions process, and how can students begin developing them before applying?

Admissions committees look for academic readiness, but what makes an applicant memorable is depth and authenticity. They want to see sustained commitment to a few things that matter to you, leadership that grows over time, and service that shows you understand the communities medicine is meant to serve.

The qualities that matter most are the same ones we see in strong physician leaders: empathy, resilience, teamwork, cultural humility, and a clear sense of purpose. Your lived experience counts. If you've worked to support your family, been a caregiver, or navigated adversity, that is evidence of maturity and resilience, not something to hide.

To start building these qualities:

• Serve in underserved communities and reflect on what you learn there.
• Keep a journal of meaningful patient and community moments; it will strengthen your personal statement and interviews.
• Build relationships with professors and physicians so your recommendation letters are specific.
• Be able to explain, honestly and in your own words, why you want to be a physician.‍

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What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of physicians, and how can students prepare to meet the evolving needs of patients and communities?

The challenges are real. Physician burnout is widespread, and there are workforce shortages across the healthcare ecosystem. Debt is heavy, and administrative burden pulls time away from patients. Health disparities persist, and trust in medicine has been strained, especially in communities with good historical reasons for skepticism. Black physicians remain underrepresented especially in New England, and many face isolation and barriers to advancement.

The opportunities are just as significant as the challenges. AI and digital tools could possibly ease documentation and give physicians more time with patients, and telehealth is expanding access for most. There's also growing recognition that a diverse physician workforce builds trust and improves outcomes.

To prepare, students can:

• Learn about the social determinants of health, since so much of health is shaped outside the clinic.
• Embrace technology while keeping the human relationship at the center.
• Develop cultural humility by listening to and working with the communities they hope to serve.
• Build resilience and normalize seeking support.
• Get involved in advocacy, because physicians have a powerful voice in shaping a more equitable healthcare system.

Ellana Stinson, MD, MPH, was interviewed by Arush Chandna, the co-founder of Inspira Advantage, a medical school admissions consulting company.