The ATSU Community Mentors Project started in the fall of 2020. In addition to the community members who work with our medical students we have 4 community members who work directly on our advisory board to ensure our program includes direct input from the community we strive to learn more about.

During our first year we had 23 community members paired with 46 ATSU medical students. Throughout the year we were able to create mutually beneficial relationships between our mentors and mentees through this program. Our students were able to learn more about the IDD community through their relationship with their mentor that allowed them to feel comfortable asking questions as well as share their thoughts and experiences.

Elective

ATSU-KCOM students are able to participate in the Community Mentors Project as part of an elective. These students participate in lectures by Truman State University - Disabilities Studies Professors and guest lectures given by experts in the Disabilities field. They also participate in the Mentor-Mentee program in pairs with their Mentor, a member of the IDD community. Students are able to participate in Standardized Patient encounters to improve their clinical skills as well as put on a Health Fair with Special Olympics for the IDD community. Overall, this elective seeks to mend the gap in medical education regarding the care of the IDD population to increase their access to equitable healthcare.