Medical Students
In the early to mid-2000s, the percentage of medical students choosing to specialize in psychiatry had remained relatively stable. We knew that early exposure to psychiatry and mentoring experiences could make a difference, and it has in the past ten years. Since 2013, the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Foundation has focused on efforts to encourage medical students to consider specializing in psychiatry and our sub-specialties such as child psychiatry. We plan to do this by focusing efforts with OPPA members as well as the OPPA and its local Chapters, through awards and grants, and by coordinating efforts with Ohio medical schools. Here are just a few of our efforts:
Individual psychiatrists in Ohio can assist these efforts by making a contribution and/or volunteering to be a mentor and assisting your local chapter and the medical school in your area to encourage medical student exposure experiences. With coordinated and concerted efforts such as these we can improve the rate of medical students who choose to specialize in psychiatry in Ohio.
- Medical students, who are members of the American Psychiatric Association, are invited to take part in the "Consider Psychiatry Campaign" by attending the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association's Annual Psychiatric Update, at a minimal rate (often, OPPA will offer sponsorships to cover the entire cost). great opportunity to gain additional exposure into psychiatry, to network with current professionals and receive cutting-edge psychiatric education.
- Chapters are encouraged to invite medical students to attend regular or special meetings at the local level. The OPPF also encourages local chapters to work with local medical schools to offer mentoring experiences to medical students, especially early in their medical school career.
- Medical students are encouraged to apply for mentoring experience grants such as through the American Psychiatric Foundation Helping Hands Program, the OPPF Research Awards for medical students, and federal and state sponsored mentoring grants (e.g., SEARCH, MEDTAPP) for medical students to work with practicing psychiatrists).
- Coordination with Ohio medical schools departments of psychiatry clerkship coordinators, and others involved in the first two years of medical school education, to enhance mentoring experiences and early exposure to psychiatry in medical school.
Medical student engagement with OPPA
In addition to the Foundation's efforts, medical students can become more engaged/involved with OPPA by:
- Applying for a medical student scholarship to attend the OPPA Annual Psychiatric Update.
- Serving as a non-voting member of an OPPA committee – if planning to apply for a residency program in psychiatry in Ohio and are recommended by an OPPA member, who is mentoring the student.
- Attending OPPA’s Advocacy Day at the Statehouse, if invited to attend by an OPPA member who will serve as a mentor during the event.
Students (or their OPPA member mentor) will need to submit a request in writing, including two-three sentences about their interest in becoming involved with the OPPA while a medical student. If approved, the student may be asked to write a brief article for an issue of OPPA’s quarterly newsletter, Insight Matters to share their experience and what they learned.
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The OPPF, in collaboration with OPPA, proudly offers a Mentorship Network designed to support medical students with an interest in psychiatry. This initiative also extends to psychiatric residents, fellows, and early career psychiatrists who may seek guidance from a mentor or wish to serve as one themselves. How it Works: Mentoring within this network is a collaborative relationship where a more experienced psychiatrist (the Mentor) provides invaluable guidance, support, and encouragement to less experienced individuals (the Mentees). The Mentorship Network aims to foster professional growth, enhance clinical skills, and build a supportive community within the field of psychiatry. Mentoring focuses on fostering a supportive and empowering environment where the mentee can thrive and reach their full potential. By joining this network, participants can expect to gain insights into the profession, inquire about specific career paths in psychiatry, develop meaningful relationships that can last throughout their careers, and more. Whether you are seeking mentorship to navigate the early stages of your career or looking to give back by mentoring the next generation of psychiatrists, the Mentorship Network offers an enriching opportunity for all involved. The Mentorship Network's purpose is to:
Any OPPA member is welcome to sign up as a mentor or a mentee. Any medical student who is a member of APA (which is free) is welcome to request a mentor. Mentees and mentors will be paired by OPPF/OPPA, with consideration given to mentees' needs (geographic location, clinical interests, etc.) when possible. Mentors and mentees are expected to commit to a one year connection and meet not less than once monthly. While introductions and ongoing correspondence can be done electronically, the goal is for the mentoring pairs to meet either in person (at the OPPA Annual Psychiatric Update is an ideal setting) or by Zoom (or other virtual platform). These meetings can vary from very informal, such as meeting for coffee, to a more structured experiences when the mentee shadows their mentor in a patient care setting. Once paired, the student is instructed to initiate communication with their mentor. During the course of the mentoring experience, both mentees and mentors are encouraged to provide feedback to OPPF/OPPA about their experience.
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Mentors sign-up
Mentees sign-up
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The OPPA's Special Interest Group in Psychiatry strives to promote the field of psychiatry among medical students. We believe psychiatry is an important discipline because mental health are integral to the overall well-being of every individual. The OPPA and OPPF provide several opportunities for students to get involved including. The only requirement to join is membership in the American Psychiatric Association.
Sponsorship
The Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Foundation (OPPF), in cooperation with the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association (OPPA) continues its priority of inviting medical students to be a part of its annual Consider Psychiatry Campaign. As part of this campaign, we are pleased to once again offer student sponsorships* to attend 2025 OPPA Annual Psychiatric Update on March 1-2 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus. This year’s conference is entitled Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Shaping the Future of Psychiatry.
Sponsorship recipients will receive complimentary registration and have the opportunity to sit with a mentor for the educational event. This is a great opportunity to gain additional exposure into psychiatry, to interact with and be mentored by current professionals and receive cutting-edge psychiatric education. For further details and to request a sponsorship, simply complete the Sponsorship Request form
For further details, visit www.oppa.org/annualpsychupdate.
