USA Medical Alumni Mentor Match connects students with alumni physicians
Posted on February 4, 2026 by Lindsay Hughes
The USA Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine is strengthening the bridge between medical education and professional practice through the USA Medical Alumni Mentor Match, a new initiative piloted by the USA Medical Alumni Association in partnership with the Office of Student Affairs.
Created to support students as they navigate the critical transition from medical school to residency, the program pairs USA medical students with alumni mentors who can offer specialty-specific insight, career guidance, and real-world perspective. Through these relationships, students gain a clearer understanding of life within their chosen specialty beyond the classroom, while also receiving support with CV development, personal statements and interview preparation. Matches are thoughtfully made based on specialty interests, geographic goals and shared experiences.
Currently in the beta phase, the USA Medical Alumni Mentor Match is focused on refining its processes with the goal of launching as a sustainable, year-after-year mentoring program in August 2026. The pilot phase is open to rising M3 and M4 students who have identified a primary specialty interest or are actively preparing for the Match, as well as alumni physicians and current USA Health residents interested in giving back in a high-impact, flexible way.
“Through the USA Medical Alumni Mentor Match, alumni do more than offer advice; they help shape the next generation of USA-trained physicians,” said Meg Laubinger, director of development for medical affairs and alumni relations. “By sharing their experience and perspective, our alumni ensure that the legacy of excellence at the Whiddon College of Medicine continues long after graduation.”
Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., associate dean of student affairs at the Whiddon College of Medicine, said the program was designed to support students at a critical point in their medical education.
“Our alumni represent a vast wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to the future of medicine, and we know that the M3 and M4 years come with high-stakes decisions about specialties and residency programs,” Ridgeway said. “By launching the Medical Alumni Mentor Match, we are bridging the gap between education and practice, providing our students with a 'trusted insider' among our alumni who can offer the candid advice and professional perspective that only a seasoned physician can. It’s about empowering the next generation of doctors through the power of connection, so they feel supported by a global network of peers who are invested in their success.”
Third-year medical student Katharine Lightfoot has been involved with the program from its earliest conversations and has already completed the mentor match survey as a prospective mentee. As a student director on the USA Medical Alumni Association Board of Directors, Lightfoot has seen firsthand the enthusiasm surrounding the initiative from both students and alumni.
“The USA Medical Alumni Mentor Match program is just another example of the willingness of our alumni community to support current medical students,” Lightfoot said. “I have been fortunate enough to participate in the initial planning for this program, and the commitment of our alumni to helping students succeed in their specialty is more than evident. As a student looking to be matched with an alum, I am grateful for the opportunity to have someone in my corner who has been in my shoes and may provide extra guidance on a more personal level. A resource such as this is vital to students. I am thankful for those who came before me, and I look forward to supporting those that come after me one day.”
Current and rising M3s are invited to complete the USA Medical Alumni Mentor Match student survey at tinyurl.com/MedicalMentorMatch.