Thoughtful, Ethical, and Purpose-driven future healthcare leaders
Thoughtful, Ethical, and Purpose-driven future healthcare leaders
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About the HSMP
About the HSMP
The Health Services Mentorship Program (HSMP) at George Mason University is a student-led initiative dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare scholars, researchers, and leaders. Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, HSMP provides no-cost educational, professional, and research opportunities to high school students who may have limited access to formal research experiences. Since its launch, HSMP has supported more than 500 students from across eight states through its academic-year and summer programming.
HSMP is organized around four core areas: Health Systems, Statistics and Research Methodology, Special Patient Populations and Topics, and Dignity, Ethics, and Leadership. Through these cores, students explore how healthcare systems function, how research questions are developed and studied, how data are interpreted, and how healthcare challenges affect diverse patient populations. Students also examine the values that guide responsible scholarship, including intellectual humility, ethical research conduct, service, and professional identity.
Program content is delivered through engaging online seminars, discussions, applied assignments, and mentorship from Mason undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and community professionals. Participants study healthcare topics of interest while building foundational skills in literature review, health services research, healthcare systems, study design, and statistical thinking.
Our mission is to cultivate a new generation of health professionals equipped with the tools necessary for academic excellence and career readiness, by providing underserved high school students with hands-on research and mentorship, and fostering a commitment to access to opportunities for all.
This foundational tier of the Health Services Mentorship Program equips students with an essential understanding of health system components and basic research methodologies.
This tier prepares students for successful healthcare careers by providing tailored support and essential resources to enhance their academic and professional development.
Our program
Our program
Health Systems
Health Systems
Students develop a foundational understanding of how healthcare is organized, financed, and delivered in the United States. Through interactive seminars and case-based discussions, participants examine healthcare policy, quality improvement, patient safety, access to care, and health equity. Students learn to view healthcare challenges through a systems perspective, connecting clinical care with population health and policy.
Statistics and Research Methodology
Statistics and Research Methodology
Students build the skills needed to become critical consumers and future producers of scientific research. Monthly seminars introduce literature evaluation, study design, biostatistics, epidemiology, and scientific reasoning. Through journal clubs and focus groups, participants critically appraise published research, discuss methodological strengths and limitations, and develop evidence-based thinking. Students interested in research receive mentorship in scientific writing, poster development, manuscript preparation, and conference presentations.
Special Patient Populations and Topics
Special Patient Populations and Topics
Healthcare challenges affect populations differently. Each month, students explore a focused topic relevant to contemporary healthcare, including community violence, disabilities and accessibility, geriatrics and healthy aging, and other emerging public health issues. These sessions emphasize patient-centered care, health disparities, and the social determinants of health while introducing students to researchers and professionals working in these fields.
Dignity, Ethics, and Leadership
Dignity, Ethics, and Leadership
Professional development is integrated throughout the program. Students cultivate ethical decision-making, intellectual humility, leadership, teamwork, and effective communication while exploring what it means to serve patients and communities with dignity. Participants receive mentorship on college preparation, career exploration, and identifying opportunities for personal and professional growth, including research programs, internships, volunteer experiences, and scholarships. Optional workshops provide practical training in résumé development, interviewing, networking, LinkedIn, and professional communication to prepare students for future academic and healthcare careers.
Example Research Program Timelines
Our Team
The HSMP is a remodeled program following last year’s program in global health. Our team consists of many disciplines including biology, chemistry, public health, and of course- health services research. Graduate students from the Health Services Research Ph.D program will provide oversight of the program through Academy Health’s George Mason University Chapter. The program itself will be administered through a mix of undergraduate and graduate students. The program is also supported by high school interns who previously participated in the program. Furthermore, additional undergraduate and graduate students are invited to provide talks, Q&A’s, and 1-on-1 mentorship.
2026 Research Fellows
2026 Research Fellows
A defining feature of HSMP is the Health Services Research Fellowship, an advanced leadership program reserved for exceptional HSMP alumni. Unlike entry level participants, fellows are selected through a highly competitive process based on sustained excellence in research, professionalism, leadership, and service.
Fellows continue advancing their own research while serving as peer mentors for new students. They lead journal clubs, provide research guidance, support educational programming, and help train the next generation of HSMP scholars. This fellowship creates a unique pipeline of student leaders who strengthen the program while continuing to grow as researchers.
Sarah Roelke
Sarah Roelke
Student Director of Research
Sarah is a senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Her research interests focus around women's health, particularly maternal health from a global perspective. She aspires to be a physician and researcher in the future. Outside of HSMP, Sarah plays violin and cello and enjoys baking. She is excited to welcome a new cohort of students this year!
Arabella Horton
Arabella Horton
Deputy Student Director of Research
TBD
Rishi Rajmanna
Rishi Rajmanna
Data Analytics Tutor
TBD
Emmanuel Beakal
Emmanuel Beakal
Data Analytics Tutor
TBD
Sajeela Ahmad
Sajeela Ahmad
Program Assistant
South East DC Recruiter
Sajeela is a current sophomore at Osbourn Park Highschool. She is interested in cancer research and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In her free time, she enjoys walking & biking, drawing, reading and baking.
Kyle Buffardi
Kyle Buffardi
Clinical Research Lead
TBD
Aisha Jafar
Aisha Jafar
Student Success and Support
TBD
The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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