Medical Student Embracing National EM Leadership Role

By Dirk Hoffman

He is one of only 25 medical students across the United States selected to serve. Mars is the Northeast 1 regional representative, covering the states of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. His term began Jan.1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2027.

His main responsibilities are to serve as the primary point of contact and mentor for Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) leaders in the region, providing guidance, resources and support for local initiatives.

“I will foster collaboration among EMIGs through active engagement and communication, maintain up-to-date regional records, coordinate outreach and check-ins, and promote involvement in national EM opportunities,” Mars says.

Additionally, he will participate in key MSC events, serve on an EMRA committee and contribute to at least one MSC project during his term.

Mars is a first-generation Haitian American and the son of immigrants from Rockland County, New York.

He completed his undergraduate education at the University at Buffalo in biomedical sciences and is fluent in both English and Haitian Creole.

At the Jacobs School, Mars has served as fundraising chair for the school’s chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and as a co-president of the school’s chapter of Black Men in White Coats (BMWC). 

Mars says he learned about the MSC opportunity through his EMRA membership, which he received through his involvement in the American Board of Emergency Medicine Dr. Leon L. Haley Jr. Bridge to the Future of Emergency Medicine Academy in 2024.

“While exploring the benefits of my membership, I came across this leadership opportunity and felt it strongly aligned with my goals,” he says. “I sought out this role to become more involved in emergency medicine, further develop my leadership skills, network with students and faculty nationwide, and help create resources that support medical students navigating medical school and the residency application process.”

Mars says that as a Black man in medicine, he is also motivated by the importance of representation in leadership.

“Representation matters not only for patients, but for students at every stage of training who may not always see themselves reflected in this field yet but absolutely belong here,” he says. “One of my goals in this role is to help foster mentorship, collaboration, and access to opportunities that encourage diverse students to view emergency medicine as a field where they can thrive and succeed.”

Samanatha Bordonaro, MD, assistant dean for student and academic affairs, and assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Jacobs School, wrote a letter of recommendation in support of Mars’ application to serve in the EMRA position.

“Jean has been a part of the community here since being accepted into our Early Opportunity Program in Medicine. His path to medicine has been deliberate and thoughtful,” she says.

Bordonaro notes that Mars was elected to his positions in the school’s SNMA and BMWC chapters after only his first semester of medical school.

“These are two of our most active school groups and being elected to leadership positions speaks volumes about Jean’s character. He has gained the respect of his peers and faculty,” she says.

Bordonaro says while Mars has sought out mentorship opportunities during his journey, he has also gone above and beyond to be a mentor to high school and middle school students in the community. 

“Through partnerships with Say Yes Buffalo, Jean has served as a role model for underrepresented students who may have never been encouraged to pursue a career in medicine,” she says. “I am confident he will bring all of the skills he has developed to this role and truly be an active member of the MSC.”

“Jean is open-minded and forward-thinking. He is not only part of the change at our school, but he is committed to making it sustainable,” Bordonaro adds. “As he pursues a path toward EM, I know that this opportunity will allow him to take an even more meaningful dive into the topics that face our specialty and our students.”

Mars says when he looks back at what drew him to the specialty of emergency medicine — it wasn’t the pace or procedures of the field — it was the patients.

“Emergency medicine physicians meet patients on their worst days and offer them clarity and action,” he says. “The patients I would encounter on the job, from different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, and medical conditions, would provide me an opportunity to give care that is not only critical but also impactful.”

“Also, the nature of many different emergencies, along with their complex pathophysiology and progression, drives me to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of both the scientific and clinical elements of medicine,” Mars says. “I am excited by the challenge of diagnosing and managing critical conditions while also making sure that the care I provide is full of compassion and attentive to the patient’s needs.”

Mars says he chose UB for medical school because of its dedication to serving diverse and underserved populations, its emphasis on early clinical exposure in the first semester of studies, and its supportive learning environment.

“UB provides hands-on clinical experiences with patients from a wide range of socioeconomic statuses and cultures, allowing us to engage with the greater Western New York community,” he says.

“As a first-generation Haitian American, I wanted to enroll in a program that prioritizes community engagement, advocacy, and training the next group of physicians prepared to address health disparities while also developing a solid clinical foundation.”