Fall 2011 marks the third year of the renewed faculty mentorship program. This initiative continues to evolve and is sure to become a recognized strength of the the University of Manitoba program. In 2010 a decision was made to combine the Big Sib and the Faculty Mentorship programs. Each 2010 group consists of one Faculty Mentor, 1 -2 Med II students as big siblings to the assigned 1 - 2 Med I students. In 2011 the program has expanded to include a Faculty Mentor, 1-2 big siblings in Med III and 1-2 in Med II as well as 1-2 new Med I siblings. Primary focus of the group remains with the pre-clerkship students however, the inclusion of the big sibs and Faculty allows for mentoring at multi-levels across the spectrum of undergraduate medical education.

Goals of the Faculty mentorship program include:

• Linking first year medical students with a Faculty mentor who can provide insight into the transition between life as a medical student and life as a physician, and a Big Sibling (Med II) to add  peer support, as well as, practical suggestions on adaptations to medical school and its expectations.

• Facilitating a relationship with a Faculty mentor who can act as a source of guidance for the student throughout medical school and in the professional realm, in addition to fostering a collaborative environment between "siblings" throughout medical school and into the professional realm.

• Providing a resource into aspects of “medical life” such as - career exploration strategies; issues such as family and lifestyle; the integration of lifestyle priorities with a career as a physician.

Overview of the First year medicine: 

Block 1 runs from August to early November. This block deals with structure, function, and disease mechanisms and serves as a basic science review to bring students up to date. This block also deals with population health issues, and research skills. Students often find this block overwhelming because of the strong emphasis on basic sciences

Block 2 runs from November until late January deals with Human Development. Students cover topics including healthy child development, psychology, psychiatry, social determinants of health, and community health sciences.

Block 3 runs from late January and runs until the conclusion of the academic year in mid May. Students cover cardiology, respirology, and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat).  This is when students first really delve into anatomy and physiology.  Most students find this energizing (real medicine at last) and some are overwhelmed by the wealth of new information.

It is hoped that sessions between mentors and students will develop naturally and spontaneously, with all individuals contributing issues for discussion. 

Common Areas Students may need advice or help finding additional appropriate resources:

• Balancing life (family, education, other) and medicine
• How you deal/cope with stress?
• Pros and Cons to research experience vs. real world experience
• Difficulties that have arisen in your life (or the lives of others) related to medical school
• Difficulties that have arisen in your life (or the lives of others) related to being a physician
• How you came to decide on your chosen specialty/area of interest – what about your specialty/area of interest is fulfilling and what should students look for in a specialty that will fulfill them.
• What you like/dislike about being a physician?
• Topical medical/ethical issues in the news/media
• Study skills, and approaches to multiple choice exams, and the OSCE
• What students can do now to explore different career options in medicine?
• CaRMS matching – how it works, how to develop references, book electives, etc.
• Practicalities of running a business, billing, investing, retirement saving strategies

Faculty Mentor Info:

Mentors are expected to meet with their student group three times (or more if desired) during the academic year – ideally once per block.  Suggested time periods for meeting are provided at the beginning of the year and reminders to meet are provided via e-mail through-out the year. (Link to the schedule of suggested meeting times below.) Traditionally the first group meeting has taken place over a meal and funding in the amount of $10 per person provided by the Medicine Student Affairs for the initial meeting. However, in the Spring 2010 Faculty Mentor luncheon meeting with 2008/09 and 2009/10 Faculty mentors present, a decision was made to pool this funding towards a fall kick-off event to facilitate the initial contact between mentor and students.

September 14, 2010, marked the first annual Faculty Mentor Kick-Off BBQ event which was held in Assiniboine Park. Student attendance was very near to full compliment!

On September 16, 2011 the second annual Faculty Mentor Kick-Off Breakfast was held in the Brodie Atrium. The event was very well attended by students and Mentors alike.

• Faculty Mentor Orientation Information

• Schedule of Meetings

• Student Feedback - Group Activity Ideas

_{Revised January 23, 2012}