The College of Medicine Alumni Council is facilitating opportunities for fourth-year medical students to connect with alumni in cities around the country as part of their residency interview process.
The virtual HOST program (formerly the "Host our Student as they Travel" program), enables students to seek out alumni in the Alumni Connections virtual community who can answer questions about cities students are unable to visit in person during the pandemic.
"These conversations primarily focus on the community," said Catherine Mello, director of the UNMC Alumni Relations Office. "They can talk about the hospital as well, but a lot of the conversations are about living and working in the area — neighborhoods, entertainment and social offerings, weather and so on. The alumni can help the students, who may not have had an opportunity to visit the hospital before making residency ranking decisions or even after a residency has been accepted, get a better sense of both the medical community and the larger community they are about to join."
The program began in September, Mello said, and so far, the office is pleased with the results.
"It is just rolling out, but it’s exciting to connect our alumni and current students," Mello said.
To connect, both students and alums can sign up for Alumni Connections and join the HOST program group. The new virtual community is open to all UNMC alumni and all UNMC students to facilitate connections. For more information, contact Catherine Mello the UNMC Alumni Relations Office.