Building Equitable Access to Mentorship (BEAM) is an evidence-based, culturally responsive mentorship program developed at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). The learning community was initiated in 2019 in partnership with the Kern National Network, and leverages the experience and expertise of SMPH faculty members to provide mentorship to medical students with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Program Goals
- Provide evidence-based mentorship to SMPH medical students who are dedicated to serving populations experiencing health disparities, including rural, urban and tribal communities
- Build a cohesive and supportive community of faculty mentors and mentees across the health science disciplines
- Provide mentors with training, professional development and networking opportunities
Mentee Eligibility
Mentees must be first-year (M1) medical students at SMPH and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- First-generation college student (neither parent earned a bachelor’s degree)
- Demonstrate a high level of financial need
- Recipient of a Pell Grant
- Experienced significant barriers to achieving higher education (e.g., involvement in the foster care system, raised in a single parent household, having an incarcerated parent)
- Commitment to and experience in providing service to populations that have health disparities, including rural, urban, and/or tribal communities.
Faculty Mentor Training and Benefits
BEAM mentors are dedicated medical professionals who are committed to fostering the next generation of health care leaders, including physicians, residents, fellows and researchers. BEAM provides competency-based education and resources in preparation for mentorship roles. Mentors participate in extensive, evidence-based mentorship education workshops led by internationally recognized mentoring experts within the school. Through a blend of online and in-person sessions, the workshops explore mentoring models, tools to improve mentoring, and culturally-aware mentoring practices.
Mentors receive guidance on transforming their educational work into opportunities that support career advancement and promotion within their faculty track. Additionally, each mentor may request a professional evaluation of their promotion packet materials. A stipend is available to support professional development and to help offset costs associated with providing mentorship.
Ask Questions or Express Interest
Tiajuana Rice, Multicultural Initiatives Manager
tbrice2@wisc.edu
“BEAM got us closer together in a meaningful way by allowing mentors and mentees to share real-life experiences and to appreciate the many humanistic aspects of one’s medical training journey.”
“I have loved getting to know my mentees. They are thoughtful, inquisitive, and do not accept the status quo. We’ve had some very difficult conversations about systemic racism, micro-aggressions, and how to stand up when injustices occur. They give me hope that the future is bright. I hope to be in touch with them for the rest of my career.”
