Medi-Gators mentorship program
About the Mentorship Program
The Medi-Gators Mentorship Program intends to connect undergraduates, health professional students (medical, PA, nursing, dental, etc.), and healthcare professionals from similar backgrounds and with similar interests. The goal of this program is to contribute to a more successful and equitable health career pipeline by bringing students and professionals together to support one another and to provide guidance, foster insight, encourage growth, and empower.
Who is in a Mentorship Group?
Members of a Mentorship Group include:
~ 1 healthcare professional
~ 1-2 health professional students
~ 2-4 undergraduate students
Undergraduate students and health professional students are matched with a healthcare professional in a career path/specialty of interest.
Mentorship Program Project
To facilitate relationships among group members and give everyone an opportunity to pursue a professional development project, we are asking each group to work toward solving a problem related to any aspect of healthcare, health education, healthcare access, or community outreach. You do not need to cure cancer or end all health disparities (though, be our guest!).
Groups will meet monthly to work on their project and to discuss suggested topics.
participating in the mentorship program
Monthly Meetings
The Medi-Gators Mentorship Program takes place over a 6-month period, from October through April, with an estimated time commitment of 3-4 hours per month.
Our Medi-Gators team will provide groups with monthly discussion topics to initiate intentional conversation. Groups are expected to discuss these topics in addition to planning and executing their project (detailed above).
Monthly meeting times are coordinated by each group based on availability. Intended meeting times with each group will be shared with the Medi-Gators team to help us follow up with groups. We highly encourage groups to attend monthly meetings in-person to foster stronger relationships; however, groups may meet via zoom if needed.
Project Expo & Reception
The Medi-Gators Mentorship Program Project Expo & Reception is an event celebrating the culmination of the program and the achievements of each group.
During this event, Mentorship Groups will present and display the projects they have been working on over the course of the program.
Top awards will be given in the categories of Healthcare Access, Health Education, Community Outreach, and Overall Most Outstanding.
Project Expo & Reception
apply to the medi-gators mentorship program
Application
Undergraduate Students
Who can apply?
– Applicants must have an affiliation with the University of Florida or Santa Fe College
– Undergraduate students must have earned a Medi-Gators Virtual Shadowing Program certificate
– Applicants must complete a Medi-Gators Mentorship & Professionalism Training (either prior to applying or after being selected)
– Students at any undergraduate academic level may apply, including students in a gap year, post-baccalaureate program, or master’s program
– Students who are eager to serve as a mentee! Students are expected to display a high level of professionalism, passion, and responsibility
Select undergraduate applicants will go through a highly competitive application and interview process.
Applications are currently closed.
application
Health Professional Students
Health professional students include medical students, dental students, PA students, nursing students, pharmacy students, etc.
Who can apply?
– Health professional students at any academic level
– Students who will be located in the Gainesville area between October and April are preferred
– Students who are passionate about mentorship! Health professional students in the Medi-Gators Mentorship Program will play a unique role, serving as both a mentor (to undergraduate students) and as a mentee (to the healthcare professional)
Applications are currently closed.
Application
Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals at any level of their career are encouraged to complete the Medi-Gators Mentorship Program application.
Due to our program capacity at this time, we are seeking only one healthcare professional per medical specialty. Completion of the application does not guarantee your spot as a mentor; our team will reach out to mentors.
Applications are currently closed.
Fall 2024
Undergraduate Mentorship & Professionalism Training
contact the mentorship program team
Vice President of Mentorship Program
Jean Augustin Jr.
Jean is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Health Science with a minor in Disabilities in Society on the pre-Dental track. Jean was an ambassador in Medi-Gators previous to his role as Vice President of the Mentorship Program. Aside from Medi-Gators, Jean participates in the Bilangual Access and Outcomes Research Lab focusing on Haitian bilingualism in healthcare. He is also a Peer Coach for the Promise Program through the UF Office of Academic Support. His career aspirations are to work as a pediatric Dentist.
Director of Professional Relations
Luke Zhang
My name is Luke Zhang, and I am a fourth-year Health Science and Economics major on the pre-med track. I am originally from New York and currently serve on the Medi-Gators leadership team, where I work closely with healthcare professionals participating in our mentorship program.
Director of Student Relations
Sarah Newcomb
Sarah is a third-year undergraduate student studying Microbiology and Cell Science on the Pre-Med track. Sarah has been involved with Medi-Gators for two years and now serves as Director of Student Relations for the Mentorship Program. Outside of Medi-Gators, Sarah is involved in the University Research Scholars Program, Stoppel Lab, and MentorGNV.
Director of Event Programming & Medi-Futures Mentorship & medi-futures founder
Giovanna Santana
Giovanna is a second-year Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience major on the Pre-Med track. She serves as the Director of Event Programming and Medi-Futures Mentorship and is passionate about helping students find their interest for health professions. Outside of Medi-Gators, she is also involved at the Equal Access Clinic, Martinez-Rivera Lab, and Burke Lab.
general email
Contact Us
medigatorsmentorship@health.ufl.edu