Pre-PA Mentee Opportunity
Program Overview
AAPA and PAF recently launched PAthways, an initiative focused on increasing diversity within the PA profession. Backed by a generous grant from the Colorado Health Foundation, the Western Colorado PAthways program aims to create mentorship and shadowing opportunities for western Colorado pre-PAs from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in medicine:
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Black or African American
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- Hispanic (all races)
Eligibility
Mentee applicants must:
- Reside in, work, and/or attend school on Colorado’s Western Slope
- Be current or recently graduated college students OR a healthcare professional seeking to become a PA (e.g. EMT, MA, CNA, etc.)
- Be able to commit to 1-2 hours per month of mentorship activities for 1 year
Mentorship Topics
Mentorship activities will take place at both individual and group levels. Each mentee will be paired with a PA mentor from the group who will be responsible for creating and executing their personal mentorship plan. Mentorship topics will include:
- Application planning/CASPA tutorial
- Undergraduate planning (required coursework and exam prep)
- Volunteer hours and patient care/shadowing
- Writing personal statements and resumes
- Review of PA programs
- Mock interview practice
- Financial aid resources
- Addressing mental health/wellness and burnout during PA school
- Navigating PA school as a member of an underrepresented group
Learn More and Apply
- Complete the mentee application form
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis until filled
- Selected applicants will receive a $7,500 support stipend
- Please send all questions or comments to [email protected]
Backed by a generous grant from the Colorado Health Foundation.