How the Kennedy-Hopkins Program Works 

There are three components to the Kennedy-Hopkins Scholars Mentors Program, each of which is specifically designed to enhance the experience of URM residents and fellows at Wake Forest.

Mentorship

The Kennedy-Hopkins Program facilitates the matching of URM residents and fellows with faculty mentors. Our mentorship process begins with the Bridge Mentor program that guides first-year residents as they adjust to life in Winston-Salem and work at the Medical Center. This initial pairing leads into long-term relationships with faculty mentors.

Bridge Mentor Program 

The Bridge Mentor program is a one-year program for interns (first year residents) to help them learn to navigate life at Wake Forest. Participants are matched with a faculty mentor who provides guidance as they in learn what Winston-Salem has to offer, how to navigate working at the Medical Center and what resources are available, as well as answering any other questions they may have. At the end of the first year, participants have the choice to continue their mentorship or to be re-matched with another faculty mentor.

Long-term Mentorship Program 
participants have the choice to be matched or self-select a faculty mentor based on the characteristics that are important to them in their educational journey. The program facilitates that relationship, assisting residents and fellows in finding a good fit. Faculty mentors provide professional and personal support and are asked to meet regularly with their mentees. Both mentors and mentees receive information and resources to help make the relationship a mutually beneficial one.

Education 

Through a series of lectures and panel discussions, the Kennedy-Hopkins Program helps to enrich the experiences of both mentors and mentees by providing ongoing educational events about mentorship, career development, local resources, health equity and more. Although designed with mentors and mentees in mind, these educational events are open to the Wake Forest community as a whole. Visit the Kennedy-Hopkins Program Events page to learn more about scheduled and past events.

Community Engagement 

The Kennedy-Hopkins Program is dedicated to providing opportunities for residents and fellows to interact with the local community. Community connections create a richer educational experience for residents and fellows, as well as improve the community’s experiences with health care. In the past, the program engaged URM members of the community through health fairs and education and is actively looking for more ways to build a relationship between minority patients and the medical professionals who look like them.