Mentorship

UP mentoring roadmapThe Underserved Pathway mentorship is a longitudinal relationship to support students’ interest and commitment to caring for people who are under-resourced and marginalized.

Please read the UP Guide to Mentorship to understand the goals and benefits of UP mentorship and how to foster a more meaningful relationship with your mentor.

Some mentor-mentee pairs use the Underserved Pathway Mentoring Roadmap to guide their quarterly check-ins. It has suggestions for discussion topics for all four years of medical school, with a few reminders about Pathway deadlines!

Students initiate check ins with their mentor once per quarter or a minimum of four check-ins per year. Check-ins can occur in-person, or by phone, video chat, e-mail, or text. The complete Pathway Mentorship Policy can be found here.

Who are Underserved Pathway mentors?

Underserved Pathway mentors are healthcare professionals from across the WWAMI region who are involved in the care of underserved populations in a variety of capacities. UP mentors must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

– primarily care for underserved patients
– have extensive history of caring for underserved patients
– are from a group historically underrepresented in medicine
– conduct research related to the health of historically marginalized people

Why is mentorship impactful?

Working with a mentor provides students early and consistent exposure to professionals who can offer valuable insights into what it is like to care for underserved populations. These mentors can answer questions, provide advice, and support students through their education and professional development. 

How do students find their mentors?

Students take the lead on identifying their UP mentor, but the UP Team is always happy to offer mentor recommendations! Just email us at upath@uw.edu.
 
Many students ask a healthcare professional with whom they already have an existing mentor relationship and who fits the UP mentor criteria to be their UP mentor. Students might know this mentor through their Primary Care Practicum (PCP) if it was completed at an underserved site, TRUST, RUOP, a community organization, service learning or advocacy work, or another UWSOM pathway.
 
Students are required to confirm their mentor by updating their UP Tracker with the mentor’s information by the end of Foundations Phase (December 31 of your MS2 year). Students enrolling after the end of Foundations Phase need to have an established mentor in place prior to enrolling.