Adults of any age, who have one or more chronic medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, cancer, or others) can volunteer to be a Health Mentor.

Health Mentors meet with a small group (4 to 6) of Jefferson students three times over the course of 1.5 years. Each meeting will take about an hour. Meeting 1 takes place in the fall of students' first year. This meeting is scheduled by faculty and takes place on TJU's campus. Lunch and travel reimbursement are provided for the Health Mentor. Meeting 2 takes place in the spring of the students' first year, and the students travel to the Health Mentor's home to complete a team-based home visit. This meeting is scheduled by the students. Meeting 3 takes place in the fall of the students' second year and is also scheduled directly by the students at the Health Mentor's convenience.

Jefferson students will talk to their Health Mentors about things that are important to being a good doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant, therapist, or laboratory scientist. For instance, in the first year, they will ask their mentors to tell them about events in their lives, about their social and health history, about their community, and what makes a good health professional from a patient's perspective. Health Mentors will never have to answer any questions that they aren't comfortable with.

All Health Mentors get an orientation from Jefferson professors before they meet their students. Health Mentors can call Jefferson professors in charge of the program anytime they have questions or concerns.

Unfortunately, we can't pay Health Mentors for their time – this is a volunteer job. But Health Mentors will know that they are playing an important role in training future health professionals to take better care of patients with chronic conditions.