The Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) would like to introduce you to Dr. Ernie Morton, PGY-4 Urology resident at Emory University, Plenary Speaker of the 2025 ASPBP Virtual Conference! Dr. Morton's Plenary Session is titled They're In! Now What? Unique Challenges Faced by Students Who've Successfully Completed a Bridge or Pathway Program and How to Support Them Once They've Moved On.
Dr. Ernie Morton
Dr. Ernest Morton, MD, MS, MBA, is a PGY-4 Urology resident at Emory University. He earned his MD from Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine in 2022, where he also completed the inaugural “Bridge to MD” program and received his MS in 2017. He holds an MBA from Western Michigan University as well.
A dedicated advocate for diversity in medicine, Dr. Morton served as president of the WMed Alumni Association (2022–2024) and is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Drawing from his own journey to medical school, he authored "A Med Student’s Guide to Getting In," a resource to help pre-med students navigate the admissions process with insight and strategy.
Dr. Morton is actively engaged in translational research and quality improvement initiatives at Emory, with a focus on genetic testing and counseling in urology patients. He is also engaged in the integration of AI tools in outpatient clinical workflows. He is a proud member of the R. Frank Jones Urologic Society and remains committed to mentoring aspiring physicians from underrepresented backgrounds.
"They're In! Now What? Unique Challenges Faced by Students Who've Successfully Completed a Bridge or Pathway Program and How to Support Them Once They've Moved On"
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM EDT Tuesday, October 7, 2025
While many students enrolled in bridge or pathway programs ultimately succeed in matriculating into medical school, they often face unique challenges during their training that can heighten the stress and difficulty of an already demanding curriculum. These additional obstacles have the potential to impact both academic performance and long-term career trajectories. This presentation will focus on identifying these challenges and proposing proactive and real-time strategies to help students navigate and overcome them.
The ASPBP 2025 Annual Virtual Conference will be held October 7-9, 2025. The ASPBP conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for increasing opportunities for entry into STEMM. The annual ASPBP conference will provide you with new approaches, ideas and resources across the pathway programs ecosystem, from K-12 programs to post-bacc and Master's degree programs. Our theme is "Broadening the Path: Connecting Pathways and Building Bridges to Potential."
By registering for the virtual conference you will gain access to your choice of breakout sessions, virtual poster sessions, short communication sessions, panels, plenary and more! Please note that you will need to register and be signed in to view any conference events or materials.
Additional meeting details and registration can be found at www.ASPBPconference.org.
