Year of the mentor website?

[MedPR]

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I was reading through the threads about how to find a DO to shadow and there was frequent mention of a "year of the mentor" website. I did a quick google search but couldn't find anything. Could someone guide me to it? Thanks.

Edit: Did a little more searching and found it.

http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/find-a-do/Pages/default.aspx

Is it best to call the office and speak with the office admin/whoever answers the phone? Is it better to try and track down the physician's email?

 

[Iliketoytles]

I was reading through the threads about how to find a DO to shadow and there was frequent mention of a "year of the mentor" website. I did a quick google search but couldn't find anything. Could someone guide me to it? Thanks.

Edit: Did a little more searching and found it.

http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/find-a-do/Pages/default.aspx

Is it best to call the office and speak with the office admin/whoever answers the phone? Is it better to try and track down the physician's email?

There's also the iLearn site which has been useful to some people: http://cf.osteopathic.org/iLearn/home.cfm

The best approach is to always call. Emailing is indirect, informal, and it takes a long time. They may never reply, and you won't know if it's because they are ignoring you, or if they haven't read your email.

So yes, always call the office. If a secretary picks up, give him/her your contact information and ask to leave a message for the physician.

 

[MedPR]

There's also the iLearn site which has been useful to some people: http://cf.osteopathic.org/iLearn/home.cfm

The best approach is to always call. Emailing is indirect, informal, and it takes a long time. They may never reply, and you won't know if it's because they are ignoring you, or if they haven't read your email.

So yes, always call the office. If a secretary picks up, give him/her your contact information and ask to leave a message for the physician.

Alright thanks a lot. I found out there are several DOs working for the medical school/hospital that I work at. Should I mention to them that I work in the hospital and know about/have signed HIPAA paperwork as a condition of my employment?

 

[Iliketoytles]

Alright thanks a lot. I found out there are several DOs working for the medical school/hospital that I work at. Should I mention to them that I work in the hospital and know about/have signed HIPAA paperwork as a condition of my employment?

Yup, both of those are good things to mention.

 

[MedPR]

Yup, both of those are good things to mention.

Thanks again!

 

[TriagePreMed]

I went through iLearn and got nothing out of it. On the other hand, I've heard of many here that have benefited (as well as many others having my experience). It's a hit or miss, but it's good to try just in case you're in a lucky area.

 

[shaggybill]

I used iLearn to email out shadowing requests and had several docs return my email. Those doctors put their names on that list specifically because they are interested in mentoring, and for many, that includes shadowing.

Even if you can't shadow, some are willing to just meet with you and talk. I emailed a chief of surgery listed on that site requesting to shadow him. He emailed back and let me know that his department did not allowing shadowing, but that he would be willing to meet me to discuss osteopathic medicine over sushi. We ended up talking for a couple of hours, I asked about a LOR, and he said he would be happy to write one. During my interview at VCOM-CC, one of my interviewers said that his letter was absolutely glowing and that it was going to carry a lot of weight during the admissions committee meeting.

Just find a bunch of docs in your area, send all of them emails telling them just a little bit about yourself and ask if they'd be willing to let you shadow, and see if you get any hits back.

 

[MedPR]

I used iLearn to email out shadowing requests and had several docs return my email. Those doctors put their names on that list specifically because they are interested in mentoring, and for many, that includes shadowing.

Even if you can't shadow, some are willing to just meet with you and talk. I emailed a chief of surgery listed on that site requesting to shadow him. He emailed back and let me know that his department did not allowing shadowing, but that he would be willing to meet me to discuss osteopathic medicine over sushi. We ended up talking for a couple of hours, I asked about a LOR, and he said he would be happy to write one. During my interview at VCOM-CC, one of my interviewers said that his letter was absolutely glowing and that it was going to carry a lot of weight during the admissions committee meeting.

Just find a bunch of docs in your area, send all of them emails telling them just a little bit about yourself and ask if they'd be willing to let you shadow, and see if you get any hits back.

Most of the iLearn DOs in my area chose the "mentor by email" option. Right now I'm tryin to setup actual shadowing, but I will definitely shoot those DOs an email later down the road.