Mayo Clinic CARES--An Innovative Pathway Program Demonstrating the Power of Mentorship

The positive impact of pathway programming on healthcare-oriented learners has been firmly established, especially in diverse populations. Conducted annually since 2019, the Arizona Mayo Clinic Career Advancement, Research, and Education Summer (CARES) program is an innovative high school pathway based on longitudinal mentorship. The three shields on the Mayo Clinic logo represent clinical practice, education, and research; through interactive teaching, demonstrations, dialogue, and daily journaling, over 70 healthcare providers expose students to a broad spectrum of healthcare careers of which most are unaware. The program emphasizes well-being, personal strengths, humanities perspectives, and life skills. Its goals include: 1) enabling students to experience career opportunities across the healthcare industry; 2) providing hands-on experience in healthcare; and 3) facilitating exploration and discovery of individual career aspirations and personality strengths. While all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply, groups underrepresented in healthcare nationally, including those who would be the first in their families to attend college, Upward Bound and STEAM participants, underresourced students receiving free or reduced-price school lunches, and the socioeconomically disadvantaged, are especially encouraged to apply. Among the initial cohort, 100% graduated from high school, matriculated into an accredited university, and indicated plans to pursue healthcare careers. The longitudinal mentoring component had the greatest impact, proving invaluable guidance to students navigating both academic and life challenges. Keywords: * Diversity * Healthcare * Inclusion * Pathways * Students