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Purpose <p>Although there are clear benefits of physician diversity on patient outcomes, representation of individuals underrepresented in medicine (URiM) within surgical fields remains disproportionately low. To address this, our institution developed a mentorship program with the goal of facilitating early exposure to surgery and increasing interest in surgical careers among URiM medical students.</p> Methods <p>This mentorship program involved a 7-month curriculum for first-year URiM medical students where students were paired with surgeon mentors. Mentor–mentee pairs met monthly and completed at least two experiences in the operating room (OR). Student participants also engaged in large group interactive sessions, including OR tours, research panels, subspecialty career panels, and skills workshops. Students who participated in the program in 2021 and 2022 were invited to complete a survey at the start of their fourth year of medical school to assess post-program engagement in surgical activities, continued mentorship, and career interest. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics to summarize participant characteristics, post-program surgical activities, and specialty career intentions.</p> Results <p>Twenty-three fourth-year program alumni responded to the survey (63.9%). Most engaged in surgical research (73.9%), participated in a surgical elective (69.6%) and completed a surgical sub-internship rotation (60.9%). Over one-fifth (22.2%) received an award during their surgical clerkship. More than half (56.5%) remained in contact with their mentors after the program. Most felt that the program influenced their decision to pursue a surgical specialty, with 73.9% intending to pursue a surgical career.</p> Conclusion <p>This structured mentorship program provides a feasible, easily implemented framework to facilitate early surgical exposure and foster long-term engagement with the Department of Surgery, while also positively influencing URiM students’ decisions to pursue a surgical career.</p>

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Surgical mentorship and early exposure program for preclinical underrepresented in medicine medical students: a 4-year follow up

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月13日

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  • Rebecca A. Zasloff,
  • Akosua D. Odei,
  • Cathlyn K. Medina,
  • Alexandria L. Soto,
  • Giussepe Yanez,
  • Michael Mensah-Mamfo,
  • Paula Viza Gomes,
  • Cory J. Vatsaas

摘要

Purpose

Although there are clear benefits of physician diversity on patient outcomes, representation of individuals underrepresented in medicine (URiM) within surgical fields remains disproportionately low. To address this, our institution developed a mentorship program with the goal of facilitating early exposure to surgery and increasing interest in surgical careers among URiM medical students.

Methods

This mentorship program involved a 7-month curriculum for first-year URiM medical students where students were paired with surgeon mentors. Mentor–mentee pairs met monthly and completed at least two experiences in the operating room (OR). Student participants also engaged in large group interactive sessions, including OR tours, research panels, subspecialty career panels, and skills workshops. Students who participated in the program in 2021 and 2022 were invited to complete a survey at the start of their fourth year of medical school to assess post-program engagement in surgical activities, continued mentorship, and career interest. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics to summarize participant characteristics, post-program surgical activities, and specialty career intentions.

Results

Twenty-three fourth-year program alumni responded to the survey (63.9%). Most engaged in surgical research (73.9%), participated in a surgical elective (69.6%) and completed a surgical sub-internship rotation (60.9%). Over one-fifth (22.2%) received an award during their surgical clerkship. More than half (56.5%) remained in contact with their mentors after the program. Most felt that the program influenced their decision to pursue a surgical specialty, with 73.9% intending to pursue a surgical career.

Conclusion

This structured mentorship program provides a feasible, easily implemented framework to facilitate early surgical exposure and foster long-term engagement with the Department of Surgery, while also positively influencing URiM students’ decisions to pursue a surgical career.