Mentoring in Medicine Program Accepting Applications

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s Mentoring in Medicine program is accepting applicants for the annual 10-week summer program, now in its 18^th year.  

Mentoring in Medicine is designed to give area college students, planning on a career as a physician, the opportunity to shadow physicians at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in departments such as radiology, obstetrics, orthopedics and ER / trauma. Students also have the opportunity to select a department of their choice to shadow for two weeks. Pathology, oncology and neurosurgery are some top choices. 

Alex Pozun, DO, is the new program coordinator for the program. He brings his own experience from the program and now as an Emergency Medicine physician at Conemaugh Memorial to help incoming students. “The Mentoring in Medicine program allowed me to experience many of the medical specialties as a pre-med student that most students don’t get exposure to until their third or fourth years of medical school,” said Dr. Pozun. “The program further inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. It’s a great opportunity for youth in our area to learn about healthcare fields and determine if it’s the best fit for them.” He noted some important steps in becoming a physician that he learned in the program including all the steps of applying for medical school, writing a personal statement, interviewing, and networking with many individuals who impacted his medical career.

Since its inception, more than 175 students have participated in the Mentoring in Medicine program; the majority of them (about 85%) have gone on to medical school. Several physicians from the program have returned to Conemaugh Memorial after medical school to complete their residency training. Mentoring in Medicine is underwritten by a stipend from the Conemaugh Health System, so pre-med students earn an income for the summer. 

The application process to become an intern is rigorous. It is only open to college and medical school students. There are eight spots open for college and/or medical students. Each student must be a rising junior or senior in college with a focus in pre-med, or must be a first year medical student and have taken four out of the five required courses which are pre-med, calculus, biology, organic and/or inorganic chemistry and physics. Another requirement is that the participants be from Cambria, Somerset, or Bedford counties.

To apply for the program or for questions, contact Alex or Melissa Pozun via email at mentoringinmedicine@outlook.com. Applications are due February 14, 2021.