Connections Physician-Student Mentoring Program
As most students are probably aware, medical school can be a tough experience. In the midst of the physical, emotional, and financial challenges, students will be faced with many decisions that may shape their entire careers.
That's why, for more than 15 years, alumni of the University of Minnesota Medical School and other community physicians have been helping Medical School students through the "Connections" mentoring program—a partnership between the Minnesota Medical Foundation, Medical School, Hennepin and Ramsey Medical Societies, and Medical Alumni Society.
This program has matched hundreds of students with physicians who understand firsthand the rigors of practicing medicine.
The mentoring relationship, intended to last throughout the student's four years of medical school, might involve having the student over for a meal, meeting for an informal chat, discussing the state of medicine and the world from the mentor's viewpoint, or an occasional "holding of hands" during bumps in the road. In other words, no particular structure is set up—the interactions are as frequent or as long as the mentor and student desire. Mentoring can re-energize a physician's interest in medicine and supports the development of a new generation of committed physicians serving our community.
Physician mentors provide students with opportunities to:
- Develop relationships with physicians in the community who can encourage and guide them;
- Meet with individuals who understand the challenges they are about to face in Medical School;
- Interact with physicians outside the setting of grades, expectations, and evaluations;
- Make connections in exploration of a vocational area of interest; and
- Gain exposure to the real world of medicine.
For More Information
If you would like more information about the program, contact Helene Horwitz, associate dean for student affairs, horwi001@umn.edu or 612-624-8101; or Emily Heagle, associate vice president of alumni and donor relations, e.heagle@mmf.umn.edu or 612-624-9161.
Connections is a partnership between the University of Minnesota Medical School, the Hennepin and Ramsey Medical Societies, and the University of Minnesota Medical Alumni Society. The partnership is designed to facilitate connections between community physicians and medical students at the University of Minnesota Medical School.