Why a Mentorship Program?

Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations (PMDAR) is focused on engaging Penn Medicine alumni, trainees, and students and offering them meaningful opportunities to stay connected with one another and the University. The Mentorship+ Program is designed to help alumni connect with one another; to facilitate connections between alumni, trainees, and current students; and to assist them in growing professionally and offering resources for development. 

A strong mentorship program has the power to mutually benefit Mentors and Mentees: 

• Mentees have the opportunity to receive advice, guidance, resources, and perspective from their Mentors. 
• Mentors have an opportunity to share their story and invest their time in a rewarding relationship with fellow alumni, trainees, or students who are eager to learn from them, as well as mutually learn from the mentee about their industry, profession, and perspective.

Why is Mentorship Important?

There are countless publications that validate the significance and value of mentorship. But the easiest way to prove that mentorship is important is to ask yourself, “What advice do I wish someone would have given me when I … graduated from medical school … first started my residency … made a significant career transition?” More than likely, you have several ideas that come to mind. Imagine how valuable it would have been to be given helpful advice at that time of your life – that value speaks to the power of mentorship. Mentoring gives you the opportunity to share your knowledge and advice with someone who is about to embark down the same path you traveled, and this is your chance to help them along the way.