Stanford Medicine 1st Generation Mentorship Program

The 1st Generation Mentorship Program is a community of Stanford Medicine students, faculty, alumni, and staff. Many are either the first in their family to attend college, graduate, or professional school and/or are the first in their families born in the United States. Our goal is to provide first-generation students with broadened academic and professional networking opportunities and advocacy through continued mentorship.

"As a first generation student, it is difficult to navigate higher education. I wanted to have a mentor that was first generation or was interested in helping first generation students like myself navigate the system".

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Help select the next generation of doctors!

Volunteer as an MMI Interviewer/Rater

Multiple Mini Interview or MMI, is an interview technique where multiple short interviews are conducted in a timed circuit. MMI is useful to assess essential skills and attributes that are important to becoming a good doctor like problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, ethical judgment, and more. MMI sessions are being conducted virtually.

Office of MD Admissions is recruiting a diverse group of people across Stanford and our broader community to serve as MMI interviewers (raters). Of particular interest are persons with a background in STEM and health professions, patient advocates, Stanford Medicine faculty, students, and staff, and Stanford Medicine alumni from diverse backgrounds.

Please note: Individuals planning to apply to medical school in the next 5 years are ineligible to participate.

Sign up Now!

For more information email: mdvolunteers@stanford.edu

Stanford Postdoctoral Recruitment Initiative in Sciences and Medicine (PRISM)

The Stanford PRISM Application for Cohort 12 is NOW OPEN! 

Are you interested in learning more about the next cohort of Stanford PRISM? Applications just opened for the next cohort. Fill out this GoogleForm to be added to our contact list so that you receive additional updates about future cohort visits!

Note: PRISM is open to graduate students from all backgrounds and in all fields, though we especially encourage applicants from the broad spectrum of identities that are underrepresented in academia to apply. Through PRISM, students visit campus to explore the postdoc training environment, build relationships with faculty, and determine whether advanced training at Stanford would support their career goals.


#StanfordPRISM was created in 2017 to bring together excellent graduate students from a variety of backgrounds and excellent postdoctoral mentors. At Stanford, postdocs work alongside top scientists and simultaneously develop their professional skills, explore career options, and prepare for independent careers. With one of the largest postdoc populations in the country and a strong commitment to making the postdoc experience the best it can be, we hope you consider this opportunity. Eligible applicants are encouraged to contact the PRISM Team for guidance on preparing a successful application and connecting with potential mentors.

Zoom Backgrounds

If you would like to download some cool 1st Gen Zoom backgrounds created by Gabriela Valazquez, click here!


Mentor Program

Our Mentors are the backbone of the 1st Generation Mentorship Program. Below is an evolving and growing list of our 1st Gen Mentors. They have been sorted according to their mentoring interests. Please read below for more information.

"This program is absolutely incredible! This is a community explicitly for first generation graduate/medical students. I think this is critical because we go through specific hardships that some other groups might not experience exactly as we do, and it is great to have the support of people who understand"

"I like that the program tries to match you to a mentor that can support your career goals. I also liked that there were workshops and seminars for those involved in this program. These types of events gave me a sense of community at Stanford, in addition to having the support from a mentor"

"I had a really rough time in my winter rotation, and my mentor has been very useful in helping me choose my rotation labs. He met with me during winter to talk about how to deal with my situation and what to do for my spring rotation. It has been amazing to have his perspective because he has mentored a lot of students."


Become a Mentor

Many successful professionals have had, early on, one or more mentors who made a big difference in helping them achieve early success. Our graduate students, and especially those who are first generation, will benefit greatly from expert guidance throughout their academic journey.

Being a mentor has its benefits. First, sharing your passions, you can help to set the tone for students entering their professional careers. Mentors learn things about themselves as well; their career benefits, and, when thinking about the impact on someone else’s life, mentors feel like they are doing something that matters deeply and personally.

Pay it forward. Bridge the generation gap. Become a mentor.

(Please note that, while we greatly value our mentor community, not all mentors will be matched directly with a student. We need a diverse pool of mentors so that they best suit the needs of our mentees).

Become a Mentor! Fill out our New Member Form.

Events

Portrait of a Thief  Book Reading

Thursday, August 3, 2023 | 5:30pm-7:30pm
Anderson Collection at Stanford University | 314 Lomita Drive | Stanford, CA

This event is hosted by the 1st Generation Mentorship Program, Medicine & the Muse, Anderson Collection, and Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) and is open to the Stanford Medicine community.

Equal parts beautiful, thoughtful, and thrilling, Portrait of a Thief is a cultural heist and an examination of Chinese American identity, as well as a necessary critique of the lingering effects of colonialism. This NYT best-selling debut novel by Stanford Medicine student and author Grace D. Li is now in development at Netflix.

Please join us for a brief reading and moderated Q&A with the author, followed by a reception and book signing opportunity. (Please bring your copy! Books will also be available for purchase.)

RSVP here. Deadline to RSVP is July 21, 2023. Space is limited! (Note that this event is first-come, first-served. An RSVP does not guarantee a seat.)

In the Community

BrightCrowd 1st Gen Community Book

Are you a current 1st Gen Member? 

The 1st Generation Mentorship Program offers its members an opportunity to participate in our 1st Gen Community Book. This provides our Mentors and Mentees a place to look for other community members. Contact 1st Gen Committee member Anthony Lee to join.

Meet FLI

The Stanford FLI Office (First Generation and/or Low-Income Office) is a hub for first-generation graduate students. They know that many of the challenges that FLI students face do not simply disappear after college and are there for you.

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In the News

Grace Li’s art heist caper | August 8, 2023 | Stanford Report

The third year medical student spoke at the Anderson Collection last week about her best-selling thriller, Portrait of a Thief, now in development at Netflix.

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NCORE 2023 | May 30-June 3, 2023 | New Orleans, LA

The 35th Annual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in Higher Education will return to the Big Easy! Get ready for five days of amazing conference sessions, networking, community outreach, and fun. Experience all things NOLA while expanding your mind during NCORE sessions.

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