Creation of a Novel Near-Peer Mentorship Program For and By Combined BA-MD Program Students

Authors

Corrina Klein, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Alexus Trujillo, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Samantha DeWees, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Marlene Ballejos, University of New Mexico, Department of Family and Community Medicine

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2-9-2024

Abstract

Now more than ever, medical schools must strengthen the tools they provide for historically underrepresented students to foster a diverse physician workforce. Near-peer mentorship is a powerful tool that promotes resilience, reduces stress, increases academic accountability, and eases the transition into medical school, with students historically underrepresented in medicine benefiting most. We created a near-peer mentorship program matching matriculating first-year Combined Baccalaureate/Medical Degree (BA/MD) program students with rising second- and third-year BA/MD medical students. We surveyed students about their interests, goals, and backgrounds to create matches, and held a mentorship training outlining expectations for discussing sensitive topics, accountability, and relationship continuity. We encourage pairs to meet monthly, complete a required meeting attestation, and use a faculty-developed Individual Mentoring Development Plan for their sessions. We will study student outcomes in resource utilization, academics, professional identity formation, and mental health, and will work with BA/MD Program administration this spring to incorporate our mentorship program into the “Transitions” curriculum for BA/MD undergraduate seniors matriculating to the UNM School of Medicine.

Comments

Presented at the HSC Education Day 2024

Recommended Citation

Klein, Corrina; Alexus Trujillo; Samantha DeWees; and Marlene Ballejos. "Creation of a Novel Near-Peer Mentorship Program For and By Combined BA-MD Program Students." (2024). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_ed_day/170