Mercy Partners with Westchester County Youth Bureau and Sister to Sister International to Host MedTech & Finance Conference
鶹Ʒ Trustee Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham, H.D. '20; Brianna Cauthen, assistant director of STEP Opportunity Programs; Julie Arias, director STEP/CSTEP Opportunity Programs; Ernest McFadden, executive director, Westchester County Youth Bureau; Neeti Sanyal, vice president, Creative, The Artefact Group; Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins; Kristin Greenwood, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs; Kevin Joyce, vice president of Student Affairs; STSI Founder Dr. Cheryl Brannan, and Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business.
The Westchester County Youth Bureau, in collaboration with 鶹Ʒ and Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI), welcomed over 200 students to its annual MedTech & Finance Conference on March 22. Held at 鶹Ʒ’s Westchester Campus, the full-day event introduced eighth to twelfth graders from across the county to emerging career opportunities at the intersection of medicine, technology and finance. This year’s conference saw an expansion in both scope and attendance compared to the 2023 MedTech conference.
“We believe that youth-driven innovation in medicine, technology, and finance will be the catalyst for tomorrow’s solutions,” said Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden. “The 2025 MedTech & Finance Conference highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve the world’s most pressing problems.”
鶹Ʒ played a key role in hosting and organizing the event. “We were excited to collaborate with Westchester County, Sister to Sister International and our community partners to organize this conference,” said 鶹Ʒ School of Business Dean Victor Petenkemani. “By engaging all stakeholders and pooling resources, we are better equipped to properly train a high-quality workforce to support sustainable economic growth in Westchester County.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, addressing the students, emphasized the importance of taking initiative in their careers. “Opportunities like the MedTech & Finance Conference are a great example of how county government can partner with private institutions to broaden the possibilities for Westchester’s young people,” Jenkins said. “The fact that so many of you are here today means you are being proactive about your futures and already have a sense of what you are interested in. That puts you on a path to success.”
Students attending the conference participated in a range of activities, beginning with a keynote address from innovation strategist Neeti Sanyal. Drawing from her experience in the MedTech and finance industries, Sanyal provided valuable insights on innovation, creativity and career prospects. Attendees then engaged in hands-on workshops with professionals from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, St. John’s Riverside Hospital and other leading organizations. The sessions covered topics such as robotic surgery, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare management and financial planning for long-term career success.
“This experience will not only enhance their knowledge and creativity but also foster greater self-awareness,” said 鶹Ʒ STEP/CSTEP Opportunity Programs Director Julie A. Arias. “The insights gained today will empower them to apply these learnings both in their personal lives and in their contributions to society.”
STSI Founder Dr. Cheryl Brannan expressed her enthusiasm for the event, noting that it provided students with exposure to diverse professionals and career paths. “Sister to Sister was pleased to serve on the leadership team for this great day at 鶹Ʒ. We were able to expose students to career opportunities and role models that will help them build confidence and a resilient future. The array of diverse professionals provided students with an impactful and interactive experience. STSI middle and high school students gave the conference rave reviews!”
Students in attendance appreciated the experience and exposure. Ossining High School senior Miles Cauthen remarked, “My biggest takeaway from this event is that there are jobs for anybody in any field. As someone who wants to study computer science, learning that I can use my studies to advance the technology in medical practice is really important to me.”
