Host a Fourth-Year Student

Dear Alumni:

Remember your last year of medical school? You may recall a time of juggling academic schedules, struggling with the transition from medical school to a residency program and wondering which program was best suited to your unique talents. Interviewing for residency can be physically and emotionally stressful. Further, the unknowns of the community you may spend the next several years of your life can be extremely unnerving. We believe we can help. 

The HOSTS program (Helping Our Students To Succeed) was created to address these challenges. The HOSTS program will match SIU School of Medicine volunteer alumni with fourth-year medical students during the months of September through January to facilitate conversations and help students gain perspectives on the potential communities they'll be living in during residency. I encourage you to become a HOSTS alumni volunteer by completing the profile form. Please connect with Kate Moore, Program Coordinator, with questions at kmoore75@siumed.edu.

Participation in the HOSTS program will offer a rich experience for alumni and students alike in many ways. Being a HOSTS alumni volunteer will enable you to learn firsthand about changes on the SIU School of Medicine campus. Additionally, you will be able to mentor students at a pivotal time in their careers by sharing your professional experience. Through your guidance, the students will gain invaluable insight into the medical center and community in which they are interviewing. The students have been so encouraged with the HOSTS program and I thank you for being part of this program. Please consider volunteering your time and providing students connections and guidance they'll never forget. 

Warm regards,

Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH
Dean and Provost
CEO, SIU HealthCare