Get Involved
Students
Register if you are interested in participating in the program.
Mentors
Sign up to be a Mentor.
Program Slide Show
Journey to Medicine
“Building the pipeline for future physicians”
Our Goal
- To mentor and build a strong sense of confidence in our pre-adolescent participants.
- To stress the early importance of achievement in mathematics and science.
- To introduce a broader view of all disciplines of medicine, and allied health professions, including but not limited to: nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, Physician Assistant, pharmacy, dentistry, and podiatry.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Gateway Medical Society Youth Mentorship Program is to educate and mentor minority pre-adolescent males in the art and science of medicine. We also hope to inspire and guide them as they matriculate through secondary education and beyond. Ultimately, we hope that some students will choose to enter into the field of medicine and the allied health professions.
Student Selection
Qualifications
- Genuine Interest in Science
- Excel in Mathematics
2010 Program Capacity: 15 Students
Requirements
- Parent Permission Slip
- Recommendation Letter
- Signed Participant Contract
- School Assessment Release
- Must provide own transportation to weekly sessions.
Youth Mentorship Program
Quarterly Group Sessions consist of 4 hour session at Host Hospital
- Physician Presentations
- Participant Presentations
- Life Skills Presentations
- “Road show” to Science
- Facility Tour
- Closing comments/recap/survey
Proposed Presentation Dates:
March 13, 2010
June 26, 2010
September 18, 2010
December 18, 2010
Mentorship Program Components:
- Students will be mentored by a combination of physician mentors, residents and medical students.
- On-going student evaluation of students between sessions
- At least one field trip per month with physician mentor, residents or medical students
- Tutoring sessions will be made available to students who may experience any academic difficulties.
- Weekly curriculum includes hands-on application through the STAR* Center of West Penn Hospital (*Simulation, Teaching and Academic Research).
The STAR Center of West Penn Hospital
The STAR Center provides hands-on learning opportunities using state of the art simulation, to allow aspiring and practicing health professionals to perfect their skills in situations closely resembling the clinical environment.
Mentor Program
A trusted adult with a long-term, consistent commitment to provide guidance and support to a program participant.
Mentor Requirements:
- Ability to commit to a minimum of one hour per week
- Easily accessible
- At least one field trip per month that provides real insight in the daily professional activity of a physician (example: time in office, hospital rounds)
- Documentation of all activities
- Ability to pass all background clearances
- Must be a Gateway Medical Society member in good standing according to the by-laws.
- Must complete mandatory mentor training provided by Coordinator
- Must agree to all program requirements
2010 Youth Mentoring Program Schedule
| March 20, 2010 | Sat. | 9:30am — 2:30pm | 1st Quarter Group Session | Bio-Science Tower |
| April 7, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| April 24, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — Noon | Mentor Activity | |
| May 5, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| May 22, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — Noon | Mentor Activity | |
| June 2, 2010 | Wed | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| June 12, 2010 | Sat. | Time TBD | Community Symposium | *Location TBD |
| June 26, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — 2:30pm | 2nd Quarter Group Session | Mentor Activity |
| July 7, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| July 24, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — Noon | Mentor Activity | |
| August 4, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| August 21, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — Noon | Mentor Activity | |
| September 1, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| September 18, 2010 | Sat. | 9:30am — 2:30pm | 3rd Quarter Group Session | *Location TBD |
| October 6, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| October 23, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — Noon | Mentor Activity | |
| November 3, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| November 20, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — Noon | Mentor Activity | |
| December 1, 2010 | Wed. | 6:00pm — 8:00pm | STAR Center | West Penn Hospital |
| December 11, 2010 | Sat. | 10:00am — Noon | Mentor Activity | |
| December 18, 2010 | Sat. | 9:30am — 2:30pm | 4th Quarter Group Session | *Location TBD |
*Location TBD — Session will be conducted at a UPMC facility such as Children’s Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, Magee Women’s Hospital or Mercy.
*STAR Center — Simulated Training and Academic Research Center located at the:
West Penn Hospital School of Nursing
4900 Friendship Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15224
1st Wednesday of every month
*Mentor Activities are subject to change based upon Mentor/Mentee availability.
The Heinz Endowments
The Heinz Endowments supports efforts to make southwestern Pennsylvania a premier place to live and work, a center of learning and educational excellence, and a home to diversity and inclusion. Committed to helping its region thrive as a whole community-economically, ecologically, educationally and culturally-the foundation works within Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the nation to develop solutions to challenges that are national and even international in scope. One of the largest and most innovative independent philanthropic foundations in the country, the Endowments awarded more than $75 million in grants in 2008.