A Mentorship Program to Groom Minority Candidates for a Physician Assistant Career Path

Research has shown that a diverse work environment in a hospital setting contributes to overall success by creating a patient and employee community that feels welcome and inclusive. Diversity in the health care workplace is heavily influenced by leadership implementing recruiting policies at an organizational level.

The Spark Grant recipients for Diversity & Inclusion will implement a mentorship program to introduce qualified minority candidates to the Physician Assistant (PA) career experience. Pre-PA candidates will have the opportunity to shadow a current Physician Assistant, receive direct supervision and guidance, and gain critical patient-care skills. The mentorship program will provide individuals from traditionally marginalized communities the chance to learn about different health care career paths and to develop a network of professional contacts. Spark Grant recipients hope to perform a longitudinal study to evaluate whether individuals who complete the mentorship program are successful in gaining acceptance to a healthcare-related program.

Project Co-Lead

Aline Snietka, MS, PA-C

Project Co-Lead

Jessica Britnell, MS, PA-C
(EM PA Director)

Collaborators

Andrew Dundin, MSN, RN, CEN; Anna Meyer, DNP, RN (Nurse Director); Antonina Theroux (BWH Recruitment, PA Services Diversity Committee)