More than 300 Detroit-area children and their parents will get a fascinating insider's perspective into medicine at the 23rd annual Reach Out to Youth program, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. in Scott Hall at 540 E. Canfield. The event will take place throughout both Scott Hall and the Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., Medical Education Commons' classrooms and auditoriums.

Reach Out to Youth is a free program created to introduce minority students, 7 to 11 years old, to the world of medicine and its potential career opportunities, all while encouraging the students to strive for success in anything they do. In addition, parents and guardians will receive information on health-related issues, such as proper nutrition and tools for raising children for successful futures. This year's theme is "Dream Big and Make it Happen."

The event is sponsored by the WSU Black Medical Association/Student National Medical Association, and is staffed by 100 medical students who will volunteer for the day as teachers, tour guides and general support staff. The student organization focuses on creating clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians.

Reach Out to Youth was co-founded by WSU School of Medicine alumna Carolyn King, M.D. (Class of 1993), a psychiatrist at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids.

Dr. King still serves as an active adviser to the students organizing the event, and attends Reach Out to Youth every year. She grew up in Detroit, and saw the need for a program that introduced Detroit-area children to the possibility of a career in medicine.

"I knew at age 4 that I wanted to be a doctor. But growing up in Detroit, other than visits to my pediatrician, there were not opportunities to see what a physician does and what the routes to becoming a physician would be," Dr. King said.

Second-year medical student Afua Asante volunteered at Reach Out to Youth in 2011, and will return this year.

"I think Reach Out to Youth is a great way for kids in the community to get a taste of what it's like to be in the medical field. There are so many options available, they just need the exposure, and I'm glad we can start them off," Asante said.

"I think it's important that we do this program every year. Parents send their kids year after year, hoping that their children learn some facts that they can share with their peers at school. The parents even have their own information sessions where they can learn a few things as well. Overall it is a very educational experience," she said.

It's a popular program with the community, said Reach Out to Youth coordinator Lizbeth Brice, a second-year medical student and internal vice president of the BMA. She volunteered at the 2011 event.

"There are students who have participated in the program every year that they were eligible. This tells us that the Detroit community is excited about the program and many parents look forward to sending their children each year," she said. "Each year we try to improve the program and incorporate new ideas and activities to keep kids and parents interested."

Attendees will participate in a variety of workshops, including presentations on preparing children for medical school, as well as hypertension, obesity and healthy lifestyles for parents; and interactive, small group sessions for children, which will cover topics such as anatomy, physiology and clinical medicine. For children, the last workshop of the day is a presentation titled "Where Do Babies Come From" - a lighthearted and fun approach to addressing some of the basic curiosities of children.

Brice said the workshops are designed to motivate students and lead them to careers in medicine, as well as educate them about the science behind healthy living and eating. The program also offers WSU medical students the opportunity to mentor and educate the doctors of tomorrow. "(We) present the message that if you work hard and put your mind to it you can accomplish anything," she said.

"I love participating in Reach Out to Youth because it allows the inner-city youth a chance to be exposed to the medical profession and shapes their desires in becoming a doctor in the future," said Lauren Robinson, a first-year medical student.

Lunch will be provided, and each child will receive a gift bag with medical-related items.

The program relies heavily on sponsorship and donations in kind. Donations for the 2013 event will be accepted at www.med.wayne.edu/bma. Inquiries to donate can also be sent to bmawsu@gmail.com.

The organization also is looking to recruit new presenters for the parent portion of the day in 2013. Anyone interested may email bmawsu@gmail.com.