On Saturday, July 28, 2012, New Orleans was the host city for the National Urban League (NUL), which hosted its Annual Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) that runs concurrent to the NUL Annual Conference. Part of the YLS events provided the opportunity for students to engage in academic areas of study and career exploration. Many of the youth participants expressed an interest in medical and professional sciences. As a result, NUL’s local affiliate contacted Dr. Mary B. Green, Interim Chair of Nursing about a visit to Dillard’s Nursing Labs.

 Dillard welcomed the YLS nursing faculty (Dr. Mary Green, Ms. Ora Mondy, and Ms. Nettie Gordon), DUPON President (Ms. Patricia Tillman), staff (Mrs. Carmelita Williams), students (Chrishonda Walker, Cantrel Cann, Catina Landry, Monique Woods) and graduates, along with Drs. Dawkins and Rouzan, Mark Raymond, and Mona Duffel-Jones. 60 senior-high school students from 13 states received a warn welcome and some instruction as well. Students were allowed to perform hands-on tasks such as assessing blood pressures and pupillary reactions. In addition, faculty and staff shared information, answered questions, demonstrated how the body functions with simulation mannequins, and generally interacted with the students and their adult chaperones. The NUL’s Senior Director of Health and Quality of Life, Mr. Aaron Thomas, delivered greetings and expressed his sincere appreciation for the partnership.