Mike is dedicated to advancing health equity, recognizing that not everyone has the same opportunity to live a healthy life. MIKE works in the communities which are most affected by the social determinants of health and health disparities, most often partnering with communities of color, lower- income communities, and in rural populations.

What Does a MIKE Mentor Do?

MIKE mentors guide students toward healthier behaviors. That’s the simple description. Yet volunteering as a MIKE mentor means so much more!

A MIKE mentor:

• Serves as a role model and guide youth toward healthier behaviors, health advocacy and social equity
• Supports underserved youth to increase health knowledge and skills
• Collaborates to research and develop health curriculum, lesson plans, classroom activities and health messaging
• Guides student leadership and outreach projects
• Supports data gathering and aggregation

Why is Mentoring Important?

Mentoring high school students provides a broader foundation that helps increase the understanding and perception of health and healthcare. Mentoring has proven benefits, including inspiring students to expand their options in career paths, increase their academic standings and engage more positively with others.

As a MIKE Mentor, you’ll gain leadership experience and skills in:

• Experience working with youth in priority populations
• Equipping youth with health knowledge and skills to enhance self-advocacy
• Expanding health literacy and public health messaging
• Helping increase diversity in healthcare by introducing career and training options to youth
• and, you’ll enhance your healthcare career portfolio!

Process for becoming a MIKE Mentor