(MEMPHIS, TN) April 1, 2011 - The Memphis Challenge, Inc., will present its second Health Careers Symposium, Saturday, April 16th, 2011, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis (formerly Baptist East). The event, entitled Exploring Options for Optimum Success, will allow students to gain insight into educational and career opportunities in allied health from practitioners in the fields of medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy. The Hospital is located at 6019 Walnut Grove (near Shelby Farms), and the Symposium will take place in the Baptist Education Center (BEC).

Students who have an interest in allied health related fields are strongly encouraged to attend. Those who attended the 2010 Symposium described it as, 'informative,' 'inspirational,' 'insightful,' and 'invigorating.' The day will be divided into two segments. The morning portion features a panel presentation, before transitioning into the lunchtime activity, Box Lunch with the Docs. This informal, small-group question and answer session will group the 'Doc's and students according to their specialization and the students' interests.

Confirmed presenters include: Dr. Noma Anderson (UTHSC - Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences); Dr. Lanetta Anderson Brooks (Women's Physician Group); Esmond Arrindell (East Memphis Neonatology Associates); Dr. Neal Beckford (Otolaryngology Associates of the Mid-South); Mr. Keon Falkner (Assistant Administrator - Baptist Memorial Hospital DeSoto); Dr. Kaia Naataanbuu-Jones (Walgreen's Pharmacy); Dr. Gerald Presbury (UT Medical Group - Ped. Oncology & Hematology); and Ms. Margaret Williams (CFO - Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women).

"Affording students an opportunity to talk with someone who has traveled the path they wish to follow, gives them confidence in their ability to achieve. The professionals we have assembled to speak want the students to be successful and are willing to go the extra mile by serving as mentors and offering job shadowing opportunities," said The Memphis Challenge, Inc., Executive Director Cassandra Webster.

Sponsors for the Health Careers Symposium are Delta Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, Bluff City Medical Society and Baptist Women's Hospital. Seating is limited. Students who wish to attend must RSVP no later than 5:00 pm, April 12th, by calling the Memphis Challenge office, 901.312.9621, or emailing Kerri Campbell at kcampbell@memphischallenge.org.

About Memphis Challenge

Founded in 1989, by J.R. "Pitt" Hyde, and charged with inspiring and developing future Memphis leaders, The Memphis Challenge, Inc., is celebrating over 21 years of successfully identifying, encouraging and assisting high-achieving, underrepresented students in developing their talents and abilities. College and career advisement are an integral component of the program's signature leadership and professional development curriculum. The second event in Memphis Challenge's expanding series of annual career exploration events, the Health Careers Symposium was preceded by the March 31 Legal Careers Forum. The program currently boasts an alumni and student network of more than 500 of the finest academic minds and career disciplines imaginable.