Student Mentors & Mentees in Medicine (SM3)

Student Mentors and Mentees in Medicine (SM3) is an umbrella pathway program designed to support students from all regions of South Carolina who are passionate about serving their communities and addressing the unique health care challenges and health disparities faced by different populations within the state. The program aims to attract students from all counties in South Carolina with a goal of increasing the representation of students applying and matriculating into medical school.

Current medical students serve as mentors to participants and guide them through the process of preparing for a career in medicine. The program consists of a series of monthly large-group sessions and individual one-on-one sessions with a student mentor. Participants are provided mentoring through various endeavors such as clinical shadowing experiences, educational discussions, test taking and study skills, exposure to various summer science programs, and academic guidance. This program grew from ‘A Gentleman and A Scholar' and 'A Lady and A Scholar' mentoring programs that were developed by former MUSC College of Medicine students.

SM3 Founding Programs

A Gentleman & A Scholar

In 2006, the Medical University of South Carolina surpassed the national average by admitting ten African American males into its incoming medical school class. Seeking an opportunity to give back to their community, ten MUSC African American male medical students founded "A Gentleman and A Scholar Mentoring Program" in 2007. The program, now an entity of Student Mentors and Mentees in Medicine (SM3), targeted African American male high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. The program has expanded to include all groups not well represented.

Each student participant is assigned to a student mentor who advises their respective student on scholarly success and leadership. Participants meet monthly at the Medical University of South Carolina as a group and individually with their mentors throughout the academic year.

The mentoring program, in a collaborative effort with “A Lady and A Scholar Mentoring Program, aims to provide mentoring through various endeavors such as clinical shadowing experiences, educational discussions, test taking and study skills, exposure to various summer science programs, and academic guidance.

A Lady & A Scholar

In 2010, Dr. Crystal Johnson, College of Medicine Class of 2012 graduate, became the first female mentor for the "A Gentleman and A Scholar Mentoring Program," mentoring the program's first female inductee. Officially founded in 2011, "A Lady and A Scholar Mentoring Program", now an entity of Student Mentors and Mentees in Medicine (SM3), served to provide females under-represented in high school and college students with opportunities that both enlightened and broadened their knowledge base regarding the field of medicine. The program has expanded to include all groups not well represented.

Each student participant is assigned to a student mentor who advises their respective student on scholarly success and leadership. Participants meet monthly at the Medical University of South Carolina as a group and individually with their mentors throughout the academic year.

The mentoring program, in a collaborative effort with "A Gentlemen and A Scholar," aims to provide mentorship through such opportunities as educational discussions, test taking and study skills sessions, clinical shadowing experiences, exposure to various summer science programs, and academic guidance.