When medical students told us that they wanted more opportunities to connect with alumni, we at the Medical Alumni Society (MAS) responded.
Last year, we started hosting informal dinners that offered first-year medical students and alumni a chance to network and learn from one another. We received so much positive feedback from students and alumni alike that we have planned more of these dinners. The next one will take place on May 25 at True Thai in Minneapolis.
We also organized a night of networking and socializing April 8 at the Walker Art Center for those involved in our successful Connections Physician-Student Mentoring Program. It provided a casual and unique atmosphere for mentors and students to meet and catch up in a new setting off campus and outside of the clinics.
MAS will be hosting many other social events for alumni to take part in:
To introduce graduating medical students to MAS and immediately welcome them as alumni, we’re co-hosting the Medical School graduation party on May 5, during commencement week.
Because our first “speed networking” event—modeled after the popular “speed dating” concept—was so successful, it will again be part of this fall’s orientation for medical students, and we will consider making it a permanent first-week event.
In response to requests from both alumni and students, we are looking forward to our upcoming mixed student/alumni golf tournament this summer. All alumni and students are invited to participate, but space will be limited. More details will be available shortly at www.mmf.umn.edu/ alumni.
I’m very excited about all of these events. Students consistently tell us they appreciate forming stronger connections with our alumni, and we believe this will have a positive effect on their future involvement with students when they become alumni themselves. And physician-alumni tell us how much they enjoy reconnecting with the Medical School while forming friendships with these impressive students—all through volunteering their time with MAS.
If you’re interested in joining us for any of these events, please register by contacting Katrina Roth at 612-625-0336 or k.roth@mmf.umn.edu. I hope to see you soon.
Sincerely,
Martin J. Stillman, M.D., J.D., F.C.L.M.
Class of 1997
President, Medical Alumni Society
