MENTORING PROGRAM

Over the last few years, WISH established a tradition of a strong mentorship program in which junior investigators can apply to be matched with mentors selected among distinguished members of the research community and industry thought leaders. We will continue this tradition, and due to this year’s virtual format, mentoring activities will occur in the weeks leading up to WISH 2020.

We invite undergraduate, graduate students, and postdocs from any field of study related to using technology to improve health and healthcare to apply to the mentoring program at WISH 2020. Even within a friendly and inviting community like WISH, it can be difficult for the up-and-comers to make connections with our most senior members. The mentoring program is designed to provide one-on-one opportunities for interactions among WISH attendees that may not otherwise happen.

Mentees will be matched with a mentor based on research areas, career paths, and other topics of interest. We will then organize virtual roundtable discussions between one mentor and several mentees, so they can benefit from other’s questions, engage in peer mentoring, and have the opportunity to network with more people. We will make introductions between mentors and their mentees, and ask them to find a mutually agreeable time to hold their virtual roundtable discussion, within the two week period leading up to the WISH symposium. The focus of the mentoring program is the development of junior scholars.

The mentoring program will take place primarily before the day of WISH, and we hope that mentees will be more comfortable at, and excited to attend, WISH after they have gotten to know more “friendly faces.” Ultimately, we believe that the best mentoring relationships happen organically. So there will be no additional contact from the mentoring program after WISH, but we encourage participants to stay in touch with one another and contribute in even small ways to strengthening ties within the WISH community.

Participation in WISH requires a $495 AMIA registration fee, which also gives you access to all virtual sessions in the AMIA conference. However, it is possible to attend for one day only for $400. We may have funds to support a small number of mentees’ registration costs, and we will prioritize those who do not have other funds to attend.

To apply to the mentoring program, please complete this form by October 5th, 2020.

IMPORTANT DATES

October 5th, 2020 – Submissions to Mentoring Program Due

October 17th, 2020 – Mentorship Program Notifications with Matches

Oct. 31st – Nov. 13th, 2020 –  Mentoring Virtual Roundtable Discussions

November 14th, 2020 – WISH Symposium