School of Medicine Diversity Mentorship Programs
The School of Medicine provides mentorship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students through several programs. We aim to create a more equitable workforce, increase cultural competence and reduce health disparities.
Through these programs, we provide support to first-generation students and underrepresented students in medicine. Mentors work side by side to facilitate strong relationships and guidance with mentees. Mentees are provided a path to increased success and a sense of belonging by those who share lived experiences and interests.
Programs at a Glance
| Program | Mentors | Mentees |
|---|---|---|
| M.D. Diversity Mentorship Program | OHSU providers | Current OHSU M.D. students (first and second years) from diverse backgrounds and/or URiM. |
| Pay It Forward | Current OHSU M.D. students | Enrolled undergraduate students in Oregon |
| OASIS | - | Current OHSU M.D. students |
| Graduate Student Peer Network | Current Ph.D. or Master's student in OHSU's School of Medicine, School of Public Health, School of Nursing or a Post-Baccalaureate Program | Incoming Ph.D. or Master's student in OHSU's School of Medicine, School of Public Health, School of Nursing or a Post-Baccalaureate Program |
| GME-to-Faculty Diversity Advancement Pathway | - | Curent OHSU trainees |
M.D. Diversity Mentorship Program
The School of Medicine's M.D. Diversity Mentorship program pairs OHSU first and second-year M.D. students who are a member of a School of Medicine Diversity Interest Group. First-generation students will be given priority. Mentors and learners meet virtually or in person on a schedule they design over the next year.
The program provides a valuable outlet for physicians to build professional relationships and connect with diverse and URiM SoM students.
Read more about program details and eligibility.
Contact: garcial@ohsu.edu
Pay It Forward
Pay It Forward is a medical student-run mentorship program. The program pairs current medical students with undergraduate mentees from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in Oregon to create a more equitable workforce, increase cultural competence and reduce health disparities.
Members of the Pay It Forward Student Interest Group will determine matches as identified by their application profile, interests, specialty of medicine, etc
The School of Medicine Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) and OASIS (Outreach, Advising, Support and Identity formation for Students) fund the program.
Read more about program details and eligibility.
Contact: payitforward@ohsu.edu
OASIS
The Outreach, Advising, Support, and Identity formation for Students (OASIS) program supports students during medical school.
The OASIS advising and support system is comprised of four streams:
- Premedical Outreach
- Medical Student Life & Wellness Advising
- Medical Student Academic Advising
- Medical Student Career Advising
Faculty advisors in each stream work collaboratively together as well as with UME program leaders, faculty, staff.
Read more about the program.
Contact: somdei@ohsu.edu
Graduate Student Peer Network
The Graduate Student Peer Network offers incoming students (Ph.D., Master's or Post-Bacc) from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine with returning graduate students who share similar backgrounds.
The program is meant to provide additional support above and beyond what is offered by individual departments for students who may not have peers who share their lived experiences within the department.
Mentors are provided with guidance and resources throughout the program and are expected to reach out to their mentees once per month.
Contact: gsopeer@ohsu.edu
GME-to-Faculty Diversity Advancement Pathway
The School of Medicine’s GME-to-Faculty Diversity Advancement Pathway (FDAP) provides a community of support for OHSU trainees and junior faculty who are from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine and/or have demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues within medical education, including providing culturally specific medical care, service, and outreach.
Read more about program details and eligibility.
Contact: fdap@ohsu.edu
Annual Mentorship Dinner
Hosted once a year by the ACGME Resident and Fellow Diversity Committee for School of Medicine medical students, residents and fellows.
Contact: gme@ohsu.edu
Become a mentor
A mentor is someone who shares their knowledge, skills, and experience with a mentee in an intentional manner and with a commitment to help the mentee achieve their medical career goals.
If you are an OHSU physician, researcher and/or faculty member who would like to mentor a student from a diverse or underrepresented background, please contact SOMdiversity@ohsu.edu
Resources
Please visit the SoM Faculty Development webpage to learn more about resources and tools on mentoring. Tips for mentors and mentees are available.