Mentorship Program Scheme
Program Vision
To build a structured, sustainable mentorship system in which Palestinian medical students, internship doctors, and fresh graduates can access pathway-aligned guidance and be connected with mentors and MD Guidance programs according to their stage, goals, and needs.
The long-term vision is for every eligible participant pursuing an international postgraduate medical pathway to have access to appropriate mentorship, resources, opportunities, and a clear, realistic development plan regardless of geography or circumstances.
Core Program Principles
- Pathway-aligned mentorship: mentees are matched according to their target pathway and stage of preparation.
- Stage-based support: mentorship focuses on the specific milestones and challenges relevant to each stage rather than providing one generic model for all students.
- Individual mentorship + centralized support: mentors provide individualized guidance while MD Guidance provides programs, resources, opportunities, sessions, and coordination.
- Priority access to MD Guidance opportunities: mentees are prioritized, subject to eligibility and availability, for relevant MD Guidance programs and initiatives.
- Accountability: each mentee develops goals and follows up with the mentor through regular communication.
- Sustainability: successful mentees may later contribute as peer mentors, speakers, trainers, or volunteers.
- Flexibility: the model accommodates students affected by instability, displacement, limited mobility, or disrupted training environments.
Program Duration & Mentorship Model
The mentorship cycle is designed as an initial six-month structured period, with formal reviews at Month 0, Month 3, and Month 6. Continuation or extension may be considered based on evaluation, mentee needs, mentor capacity, and program capacity.
- Each mentee receives a personalized needs assessment.
- A personalized pathway timeline and goals are established with the mentor.
- At least one mentor–mentee communication is expected every month through a meeting, email, or chat.
- Additional communication may take place according to the mentee’s needs and the mentor’s availability.
- Mentors may consult the wider mentor/consultant network when a mentee requires expertise outside their scope.
- MD Guidance coordinates the overall program, tracks engagement, and provides centralized opportunities and resources.
Firstly, US pathway!
Mentorship Program Scheme – US pathway
Vision:
To provide Palestinian medical students and junior doctors pursuing the USA pathway with stage-specific mentorship that supports them from USMLE planning through Step 2 CK, CV and research portfolio development, clinical experience, residency applications, interviews, and the Match.
Target Groups:
- Medical students who are actively preparing for or planning the USA pathway.
- Internship doctors and fresh medical graduates who have started the pathway.
- Applicants preparing for USMLE Step 1/Step 2 CK, building their profile, preparing residency applications, or participating in the Match.
USA Tracks:
Track | Stage | Main Mentorship Focus |
A | Pre-Step 2 | Step 2 planning, study strategy, pathway roadmap, timeline, early CV/profile development, and identifying research/clinical opportunities.
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B | Step 2 + CV Building | Step 2 strategy, CV and research portfolio development, clinical experience, electives/observerships, networking, and residency planning.
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C | Match Applicants | Residency application strategy, CV/personal statement, program selection, interviews, networking, Match planning, and backup strategies.
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USA Mentorship Roles:
- Help the mentee build a realistic USA pathway roadmap and timeline.
- Guide USMLE study planning and strategy within the mentor’s expertise.
- Review and strengthen the CV and identify profile gaps.
- Advise on research, publications, conferences, clinical experience, electives, and observerships.
- Support residency application planning and preparation.
- Provide guidance on personal statements and interview preparation.
- Share relevant pathway updates and direct mentees to MD Guidance resources.
- Support networking and professional development while maintaining realistic expectations.
- Support accountability through monthly check-ins and agreed action points.
USA Support Provided by MD Guidance:
- Priority access to relevant MD Guidance programs and opportunities, subject to eligibility and availability.
- Research courses, working groups, and research opportunities.
- Monthly research and conference opportunity announcements.
- Scholarship and funding opportunity announcements.
- Elective/clinical opportunity support through relevant MD Guidance programs.
- Application, personal statement, interview, and soft-skills sessions.
- Teaching and training opportunities based on mentee skills and program capacity.
- Quality management learning opportunities through relevant platforms.
- Updated USA pathway resources and written updates.
- Mentorship toolkit with timelines, checklists, research/application resources, and interview preparation materials.
Expected USA Outcomes:
- Clear individualized USA pathway plan and milestones.
- Improved preparation for relevant USMLE stages.
- Stronger CV and research portfolio.
- Improved access to clinical, research, elective, teaching, and professional opportunities.
- Improved readiness for residency applications and interviews.
- Better-informed Match and career decisions.
Secondly, UK Pathway!
Mentorship Program Scheme – UK pathway
Vision:
To provide Palestinian medical students and junior doctors pursuing the UK pathway with stage-specific mentorship that supports them from early pathway planning through PLAB, GMC registration, clinical attachments, NHS applications, and transition into the NHS.
Target Groups:
- Senior medical students exploring or preparing for the UK pathway.
- Internship doctors and fresh medical graduates who have started the pathway.
- Applicants at different stages of OET/IELTS, PLAB, GMC registration, clinical attachments, or NHS job applications.
UK Tracks:
Track | Stage | Main Mentorship Focus |
U1 | Pre-PLAB 1 / OET | Pathway roadmap, OET/IELTS planning, PLAB 1 planning, timeline, CV/profile development, research and professional development. |
U2 | PLAB 2 Preparation | PLAB 2 planning, communication/OSCE guidance, clinical readiness, professional development, and preparation for the transition to job applications. |
U3 | Post-PLAB 2 | Clinical attachments, NHS job applications, CV/portfolio, interviews, professional communication, workplace transition, and career planning. |
UK Mentorship Roles:
- Help the mentee build a realistic UK pathway roadmap and timeline.
- Guide preparation strategy for OET/IELTS and PLAB where within the mentor’s expertise.
- Support CV and portfolio development and identify gaps.
- Advise on clinical attachments and NHS job application strategies.
- Provide interview and professional communication guidance.
- Share relevant pathway updates and direct mentees to MD Guidance resources.
- Identify suitable research, teaching, conference, scholarship, elective, volunteering, and professional development opportunities.
- Support accountability through monthly check-ins and agreed action points.
UK Support Provided by MD Guidance:
- Priority access to relevant MD Guidance programs and opportunities, subject to eligibility and availability.
- OET course prioritization where available.
- Elective/clinical attachment support through the relevant MD Guidance team.
- Weekly scholarship opportunity announcements.
- Research programs, courses, working groups, and monthly research/conference opportunities.
- Soft-skills, application, interview, and professional development sessions.
- Quality management learning opportunities through relevant platforms.
- Updated pathway resources and written updates through the postgraduate team.
- Mentorship toolkit containing timelines, checklists, examples, and pathway-specific resources.
Expected UK Outcomes:
- Clear individualized UK pathway plan and milestones.
- Improved readiness for the relevant examination or career stage.
- Improved CV and professional profile.
- Greater access to research, clinical, elective, teaching, scholarship, and professional opportunities.
- Improved readiness for NHS applications and interviews.
- Improved understanding of the transition into NHS clinical work.
What MD Guidance Provides Beyond the Mentor
Mentorship is one component of a broader support ecosystem. Mentees are not expected to rely solely on their individual mentor. Based on eligibility and availability, mentees will be prioritized across relevant MD Guidance programs, including:
- Research Academy subscriptions/courses and MD Guidance research programs and working groups.
- Monthly research and conference opportunity announcements.
- Elective and clinical attachment opportunities and application support.
- Weekly scholarship opportunity announcements.
- Application and interview sessions.
- Annual soft-skills programs covering CV, personal statements, communication, and related skills.
- OET support for eligible UK pathway mentees.
- Teaching and training opportunities.
- Quality management courses.
- Written pathway updates and an updated mentorship toolkit.
Mentor–Mentee Accountability
- Mentors should maintain professional and respectful communication.
- At least one communication with each mentee is required every month; this may be a meeting, email, or chat.
- Mentors are not expected to guarantee funding, residency placement, clinical attachments, employment, examination success, or visa outcomes.
- Mentors should signpost mentees to MD Guidance teams and resources whenever support falls outside their individual expertise.
- Repeated non-responsiveness may lead to reassignment in order to protect the mentee’s progress and program quality.
Monitoring & Evaluation
MD Guidance will evaluate the mentorship experience and mentee progress through structured feedback and monitoring.
- Month 0: goals, expectations, challenges, definition of success, and requested opportunities.
- Month 3: progress toward goals, satisfaction, frequency of mentor contact, and areas requiring additional program support.
- Month 6: overall progress, outcomes, satisfaction, mentor engagement, and recommendations for continuation or the next cycle.
- Program-level indicators may include mentor responsiveness, session attendance, satisfaction, retention, exam progress, CV improvement, research participation, clinical opportunities, and applications.
Long-Term Sustainability
The program aims to develop a growing community rather than a one-time mentor–mentee relationship. Mentees who successfully progress through their pathway may later contribute as peer mentors, speakers, trainers, or volunteers, allowing experience and knowledge to circulate within the Palestinian medical community.
How to enroll in the program
Please fill the form below!