Mentorship

Students are mentored by highly trained and specialized public health professionals. Most of the mentors teach in the Preventive Medicine Program and hold joint appointments and positions at both Upstate Medical University and the Onondaga County Health Department.

Students receive intensive one-on-one guidance and instruction with their mentor with an average of 40 hours of contact time per credit hour. Students are encouraged to conduct outside research and encouraged to think critically and independently about their research project.

Mentoring of the student also includes meetings with the Director of the elective who is also the Commissioner of the Health Department, Dr. Cynthia Morrow.

Students sign up for 1- 4 credit hours for this elective. On average, students have between 30-40 direct contact hours with their mentor per each credit hour. Students are also involved in senior staff meetings, conferences, and other assigned facilitators involved with their elective and outreach clinics.