The Westchester County Youth Bureau, in collaboration with Mercy University and Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI), hosted a day of career exploration for eighth to twelfth-grade students from across the County at the MedTech & Finance Conference. Close to 200 young people connected with experts from New York Presbyterian-Westchester, St. John’s Riverside Hospital and other industry leaders to discover exciting opportunities created by the intersection of medicine, technology and finance.
Dr. Mzimeli Morris, Director of Labor and Delivery at New York Presbyterian Westchester and an Assistant Professor of Women’s Health in OB/GYN at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons kicked off the conference with a keynote address detailing her medical career journey and her role promoting health equity. Students then went on to participate in workshops that focused on a wide range of medical topics as well as the emerging role of AI, the importance of cybersecurity, honing your interview skills and managing finances to provide for your career.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins gave welcoming remarks and said: “Events like the MedTech & Finance Conference showcase how County government can team up with private industry to open doors for Westchester’s youth. We thank Mercy University and Sister to Sister International for their valuable partnership. Students, your presence here shows you are taking charge of your future and following your interests. By being proactive and finding your direction now, you are already well on your way to success.”
Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden said: “The 2026 Youth MedTech & Finance conference brings together an intersection of the fields of healthcare, technology and finance, where some of the most transformative solutions will emerge. Our goal is to empower young people with the knowledge, networks and inspiration needed to move forward in these critical fields solve global healthcare challenges.”
Mercy University Provost Dr. Kristin Greenwood said: “As Provost, I am honored that Mercy is once again hosting the Youth MedTech & Finance Conference. Engaging students from grades 8–12 in these critical fields reflects our commitment to cultivating the next generation, who will drive innovation across healthcare and finance. Our partnership with the Westchester County Youth Bureau and Sister to Sister International further reinforces this commitment by helping us reach and empower a wider community of emerging scholars.”
Mercy University School of Business Dean Victor Petenkemani said: “The future of business is being shaped by rapid technological change, and our responsibility as educators is to prepare students to lead in that environment. We are integrating essential business skills throughout the Mercy University School of Business curriculum while training students on the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. By continuously innovating our programs, we are preparing our graduates to succeed in a dynamic and technology-driven workplace.”
STSI Founder Dr. Cheryl Brannan said: “This conference gets better every year! Kudos to all of our community partners. We continue to get rave reviews from the students who are either ‘explorers’ being exposed to new career paths, or ‘navigators’ who are already familiar and looking to learn more. The MedTech & Finance Conference is a tremendous resource for Westchester students!”
Morris said: “This is an extremely important event that allows young people to explore the array of different fields within medicine, tech, and finance. I’m so honored to be a part of it as it allows me to share my experiences throughout my education and career. Many youth of color are the very first in their families to embark on these fields and I wanted to let them know that there is no one way to accomplish your goals. You don’t have to fit inside of the boxes that academia has constructed to be what you want to be. It is more important to listen to yourself and embrace the way that you learn material in order to be truly successful.”
Nicholas Kurumunda, a senior at New Rochelle High School said: “I really enjoyed the MedTech & Finance Conference at Mercy University. I was able to network and learn a lot from the professionals who were presenting the workshops. This is an opportunity that everyone who has an interest in the fields should experience if they can.”
