We are pleased to announce the start of this year’s LGBTQ Mentoring Program for medical students, trainees and faculty  at the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Medicine. We are currently recruiting students, medical trainees (residents/fellows), and faculty for the program. Please see below for a description. Please feel free to contact us with any questions and forward this information to others who may be interested in participating.  

We ask that you respond by October 10th, 2022 if you are interested in becoming a mentor or mentee for the 2022-2023 academic year. Matches will be made by October 14th.

Sign up to be a mentor/mentee via the following form: 

https://upenn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cXJeCdFBAmzDRY  

What is the LGBTQ Mentoring Program? 

The LGBTQ Mentoring Program is organized by Penn Medicine Pride and the Penn Medicine Program for LGBTQ Health. The LGBTQ Mentoring Program aims to create a bridge between our faculty, students, and trainees at Penn and foster a sense of community.   

What do Mentors do? 

The focus of the LGBTQ Mentoring Program is on professional development for our LGBTQ learners. Career development and focus, work/life balance, networking, “out-ness” as professional, and navigating through complicated environments and systems are all common topics that arise in the mentor-mentee relationship. 

Mentors serve as coaches, teachers, role models, friends, and advocates in guiding students/trainees through academic and career paths. Mentors serve as an inspiration and provide support to students and trainees, fostering the growth and development of other health care professionals. Through the LGBTQ Mentorship Program, mentors are able to build their own leadership skills and gain personal satisfaction from passing their knowledge and experience on to future professionals. 

What do Mentees do?

While the goal of the program is professional development for our LGBTQ learners, the success of the mentoring relationship does not  fall solely to the mentor. Mentees must make efforts to engage with their mentors, have specific goals or guidance they are seeking and work to create the experience they would like from the mentoring relationship.

How are Mentors/Mentees connected? 

Mentors and mentees are matched based on clinical and/or research interests, certain personal characteristics as well as student preferences and will meet at our Fall Networking Event.  Those who are not able to attend the networking event can arrange to meet at a separate time.

We will make every attempt to create a mentor group between a student, trainee and faculty. However, based on availability or mentor preference, some mentor/mentee relationships will be constructed differently.  

What are the requirements and time commitments  the mentoring program? 

• Mentors and mentee's are Penn Medicine or PSOM students, faculty or UPHS/CHOP residents who identify as LGBTQ. 
• Mentors/mentees enroll by completing a brief questionnaire. https://upenn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cXJeCdFBAmzDRY 
• Mentors and mentees are asked to attend a “Networking Event” to formally meet their matches. This event will be held on October 20th.   
• The mentoring relationship will formally last for one academic year, with the option of continuation at the end of the year.   
• Contact between a mentor/mentee is negotiated between mentor/mentee. We suggest at least 2 in person meetings per semester if possible.  
• If involved in a mentor group match, not all members of the group need to meet together each time.  
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