Mentorship and Sponsorship: Building Successful Medical Careers

Background

Mentorship is a cornerstone of building a successful medical career. With an influx of Black-identifying medical learners entering the field, it is imperative that they receive robust support from senior faculty, forming the foundation of their undergraduate medical education.

For many Black-identifying students, becoming a physician is a path less traveled within their families and communities. Navigating undergraduate medical education and securing a residency goes beyond studying hard and achieving high marks. A significant portion of success involves understanding the hidden curriculum—a set of unspoken rules and cultural nuances that our program’s mentors have adeptly navigated.

The hidden curriculum greatly influences one’s journey to becoming a successful physician. Through mentorship, Black medical learners will gain insights on how to function within medical environments and interpret social cues crucial for their success. Our mentorship program is specifically designed to support and develop the careers of Black medical students in Canada.

We offer mentorship pods focusing on specific medical disciplines, ensuring targeted and effective guidance. Mentors in our program are often among the few Black physicians in their specialties, and their time is invaluable. We ask that mentees engage with these mentors through the BPAO mentorship program to make the most of this opportunity.

Program Details

Eligibility: Open to all Black medical students enrolled in Canadian medical schools.

Mentorship Pods: Each pod includes one to two staff physicians and a resident mentor.

Virtual Meetings: Held every three months, these sessions cover strategies for maximizing observerships, research opportunities, and understanding specialty expectations.

Given the limited number of Black physicians in various specialties, we encourage active engagement with mentors through these pods. This program aims to bridge gaps and foster a supportive community for aspiring Black physicians.

  • Family Medicine/Public Health

  • Internal Medicine

  • General Surgery/VascularSurgery/Orthopedic Surgery/Urology

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology/

  • Plastic Surgery/ENT

  • Dermatology

  • Emergency Medicine/Anesthesia 

  • Psychiatry

  • Pediatrics

Mentorship Pods Available

Application

Prospective Mentors

If you are a Canadian physician in the above disciplines and are motivated to support our future colleagues, please fill out the form below. The commitment involves one-hour Zoom meetings every three months to discuss the profession and optimize undergraduate medical education. For specialties where research is essential, a working knowledge of research opportunities would be beneficial. Competitive compensation will be provided based on an hourly rate.

Prospective Learners

If you are a first or second-year medical student in Canada interested in joining a pod, please apply below. By participating in this program, both mentors and mentees will contribute to a more inclusive and supportive medical community, ensuring that the next generation of Black physicians is well-equipped to succeed.