Medical Students Bridge Community Gaps Through MIKE Program Mentorship

The partnership, which began as a 2020 pilot, pairs students from WesternU’s osteopathic medicine and health sciences colleges with middle and high schoolers. While the curriculum covers standard health topics like nutrition and mental health, the program’s real value lies in the human element. Second-year physical therapy student Haven Wagner uses interactive lessons, such as simulating physical impairments, to demystify healthcare and show students that medical professionals deal with more than just injuries.

For mentors like Erin Foley, the program offers a necessary respite from the high-pressure environment of medical school. By volunteering twice a month, students move beyond textbooks to become role models for teenagers who might otherwise lack exposure to healthcare career pathways. MIKE Executive Director Justin Zellinger emphasizes that the most successful mentors are those who share their own professional struggles and non-linear paths, creating an environment where both the volunteer and the student can be genuine. This mutual exchange transforms the experience from a simple outreach project into a vital lifeline for students and their mentors alike.