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Sponsored by the Offices of Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach, Student Services, Admissions, and Communications, the Mentors in Medicine & Science (MIMS) mentorship program wrapped up its final event for the academic year at each campus’ Clinical Skills and Simulation (SIM) Center. While at the SIM Center, mentees and mentors worked together as they rotated through stations that challenged their clinical skills in areas such as ultrasound, patient case histories, and vital signs.

On the Downers Grove Campus, the spring event was held at the SIM Center on April 10 and included 20 mentees and 12 mentors.

The Glendale Campus held its spring event on April 22, which 26 mentees and 30 mentors attended.

Mentees from Downers Grove got to experience Midwestern’s One Health philosophy first-hand. “The Simulation Center at â��77���� was incredible,” said Andrea Garcia, a junior pre-dental student at Aurora University. “I didn’t know dental students trained alongside PA and medical students in their first year.  It was cool seeing how hands-on and collaborative the program is.”

“The Simulation Center experience changed how I think about dentistry,” said Yarexy Castaneda, a sophomore pre-dental student also from Aurora University. “I always thought dentistry was just about oral health, but I learned how important it is to understand a patient’s full medical background. Learning about patient health histories, CPR, and SOAP notes really opened my eyes.” 

Furthermore, Midwestern mentors like Stephanie Chimel (AZCOPT ’27) got to model what it’s like to collaborate with providers from other programs. “I helped teach my mentees the components of an exam, including case history, taking vital signs, and using a direct ophthalmoscope. I also sat as a patient for my mentees while they learned ultrasound skills from another MIMS mentor, an AZCOM student. My favorite part of the event was getting to teach my mentees how to do direct ophthalmoscope and getting to interact with some of the other mentors.” 

Advisor Alexandra Goe, D.V.M., Dipl. ACZM, Clinical Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, helped to lead the veterinary-related stations at the Glendale Campus and highly values the idea of mentorship within the healthcare community. “I think many of our mentors wished they had this opportunity when they were considering a future in healthcare. It is their way to give back and help their future colleagues. It has been especially rewarding to hear about the mentees accepting offers into graduate programs, including a few at MWU!”

For more information about the MIMS Program in Arizona, visit MIMS-AZ; and in Illinois visit MIMS-IL.