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".


Zoom Backgrounds

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


Trailblazers: Navitaging 1st Gen Success

Welcome to 1st Gen Mentorship Series, where storytelling meets inspiration! Join us as we delve into the compelling narratives of first-generation professionals in medicine. Breaking barriers and blazing trails, we're here to share the journeys of those who've conquered the odds to live the dream. From being the first in their family to achieve academic greatness to paving the way for future generations, these stories are bound to ignite your passion for the health sciences.

Our host, Mijiza Sanchez-Guzman, MPA, Ed.D, chats with distinguished first-gen leaders, mentors, students, faculty, and researchers to uncover their lived experiences, insights, and wisdom. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and empowered as we celebrate the triumphs of those who dared to be the first! Tune in now and be part of the movement reshaping the narrative of success in healthcare! Don't miss out – hit that subscribe button and join us on this exhilarating journey of discovery and empowerment! Watch on YouTube today! Below, listen to our 1st Gen Trailblazers Happy Songs playlist on Spotify. 


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

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.





 


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.

For more information email: mdvolunteers@stanford.edu.
 

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

Navigating the Unique Challenges and Triumphs of Female First-Generation College Students | March 18, 2024 | LinkedIn | Charmaine Troy, PhD

The journey of a first-generation college student is often marked by distinctive challenges and triumphs. When considering the experiences of female first-generation students, the narrative becomes even more nuanced....

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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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