Mentorship Programs

Mentoring at the College of Medicine

The SMSS, in collaboration with the College of Medicine and the University of Saskatchewan, supports mentoring relationships (mentorships) as mentoring is an important component of growth and development in any field of study.

There are a few different mentoring programs supported by the SMSS. Please be advised some programs are only available at certain learning sites. Click the links below to find details about these programs.

  • Objectives

    1. Bridge the gap between University of Regina pre-medical students and medical students studying in Regina in order to promote the College and studying medicine in Regina

    2. Provide support and direction to pre-medical students on their path toward medical school

    3. Educate pre-medical students about opportunities in Regina with regard to medical education

    4. Promote the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR)

    Summary:

    We are pleased to have introduced and ran the first test run in fall 2015. RPMM is simple: we will match you with one or two medical students in Regina and provide each of you with each other’s emails. From there, the rest is up to you. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions via email, in person at a coffee shop, or in whatever other fashion the pair of you come up with. The program is meant to bridge the gap between medical students and pre-medical students in Regina by offering advice about medicine, medical school, admittance, or chat about life in general.

    The program has been added to the SMSS Constitution and will continue in the future.

PEERSiM Mentoring Program

  • PEERSiM (Program to Engage and Exchange Resources for Students in Medicine)

    1. To ensure the academic success of students during their transition to college and to support their continued academic achievement through graduation.

    2. To build community by creating a more inclusive campus environment and by addressing the cultural needs of multicultural students.

    3. To offer opportunities for learning, leadership and service outside the formal academic curriculum

    The PEERSiM mentoring program has been run for a number of years at the CoM and has been very successful. In the fall, second year medical students sign up to be mentors for the incoming class, while first year students sign up to be mentees. This program is designed to develop resources in upper years to help guide you through medical school. This can be effective study tips, time management, what to wear for clinical skills, opportunities for research and volunteering, and ultimately to learn and benefit from the experiences of others. It will be up to each mentoring pair to decide how to meet, but it is recommended to meet (whether in person, on skype, or texting) at least once a month in whatever form you decide. Contact smss.studentservicesrep@gmail.com for more information.

Synergy Mentoring Program

  • Synergy Mentoring Program

    1. To provide an avenue for students to develop networking opportunities with physicians and residents.

    2. To offer opportunities for learning, leadership and service outside the formal academic curriculum.

    3. To continue to improve the relationship between physicians, residents, and students throughout the province.

    This program is designed to match students of all years up with practicing residents/physicians for mentorship. Students and mentors each fill out a survey based around their interests and goals, and are matched accordingly. This is designed to give students an opportunity to discuss many things with a leader in the community: job description, advancement, lifestyle, and create networking opportunities. Contact smss.studentservicesrep@gmail.com for more information. Surveys are typically sent out early in the second semester.

LGBTQ+ Mentorship Program

  • The LGBTQ+ Mentorship Program is a student-run initiative for LGBTQ+ medical students, residents, and physicians. It aims to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals in medicine to meet, share experiences, and provide each other with mutual support. The program facilitates mentorship through organized large group meetings in Saskatoon and Regina. Members are encouraged to use these meetings to arrange informal one-on-one mentorship if they so choose.

    Benefits

    Navigating the medical profession can be uniquely challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals at all levels of training. A safe space to freely discuss issues relating to gender/sexual identity, as well as an opportunity to meet LGBTQ+ peers, can help combat feelings of isolation. This program will help to establish a strong and supportive LGBTQ+ medical community in Saskatchewan. Resident and physician mentors will serve as positive role models, and will have the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge with the mentees. They will also be able to connect with other LGBTQ+ peers.

    Medical students involved in this program will receive guidance and support from the mentors. They will be exposed to a variety of LGBTQ+ perspectives and medical specialties in the large group meetings, which will promote personal and professional development. They will have a supportive environment in which they can explore their own LGBTQ+ identity, while also gaining lifelong connections and a sense of community.

    Confidentiality

    Many LGBTQ+ medical students, residents, and physicians are not “out” to their peers and they may wish to remain this way for personal or professional reasons. For this reason, we ask that all members maintain confidentiality pertaining to group membership.

    If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please send us an email @ rainbow.mentors@gmail.com

Pulse Mentorship Program

  • Peers United by Leadership and Skills Enhancement (PULSE) gives undergraduate medical students the opportunity from various years to collaborate. It also empowers students who want to learn the art of teaching and educating others, as well as giving/receiving quality feedback. Considering these skills are an expectation of students entering residency, and highly important abilities used every day by physicians, PULSE helps to meet that need for student mentorship/teaching initiatives.

    PULSE is the College of Medicine’s brand new, student-run, peer-to-peer clinical skills mentorship program. PULSE was created specifically with students’ interests and needs in mind. It was designed to provide a valuable opportunity for medical students in different years to connect and share knowledge, to gain skills in mentorship, and to foster a sense of camaraderie in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Starting in the Fall of 2018, PULSE will be offered year-round in Saskatoon. PULSE will allow all interested 1st year medical students to connect with and learn from 2nd year medical students in the MD program, and facilitate confidence building and clinical skills enhancement (history taking, physical exam, imaging interpretation, oral presentations, and more), while promoting meaningful peer connections. In turn, PULSE doubles as an excellent opportunity for interested 2nd year medical students to engage in teaching and mentoring, and to practice/review relevant material for their own learning.

    If you are interested in participating in PULSE or would like to learn more about this program, please email Adam Neufeld.