Senior Mentor Program
At the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, our mission is to advance the health and well-being of our community through innovative education, research, and service. Our Senior Mentor Program embodies this mission by pairing vibrant, community-dwelling volunteers aged 65 and older with two medical students. This dynamic partnership prepares future physicians for meaningful patient interactions, fostering the development of competent, confident, and compassionate healthcare providers.
Program Highlights:
- Engaging Interactions: Mentors and students meet three times each semester, discussing topics such as life history, medical history, stress management, social support, wellness, nutrition, and end-of-life care perspectives.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: This two-semester program includes six one-hour meetings, seamlessly integrated into the medical students' curriculum, which also features service-learning activities, patient simulations, and community engagement initiatives.
By participating, mentors play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of physicians, enhancing their interpersonal skills and understanding of patient care within the community context.
Get Involved: To volunteer as a mentor, please click "Apply to Be A Senior Mentor" below and complete the application. For any questions, contact Brenda Calhoun at brenda.calhoun@okstate.edu or 918-561-8211.
Here are what some of our senior mentors have to say about our program:
- “I enjoyed being a part of the training to become a doctor. Your students have been so nice, so I enjoyed having them at my house. I feel like I played a small part in them becoming a doctor.”
- “I love getting to know the students personally and watching them change and develop their skills and knowledge. It’s fun to enlarge their view of what seniors can do and how we see the world.”
- “The students are so positive and upbeat! They give me confidence in the future.”
- “I look forward to each visit and try to help them to understand and relate to each topic which keeps me alert and informed.”