4C and MCG Mentorship Alliance

4C - & - MCG

MENTORSHIP ALLIANCE

GEORGIA’S ONLY PUBLIC MEDICAL SCHOOL, THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA (MCG), HAS PARTNERED WITH THE COMMODORE CONYERS COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY (4C ACADEMY) TO CREATE THE 4C & MCG MENTORSHIP ALLIANCE.

A unique mentorship program between 3rd and 4th year MCG medical students and 4C Academy’s 9th and 10th grade healthcare science students, the Mentorship Alliance allows older medical students the opportunity to inspire their younger counterparts on the path to success.

Dr Doug Patten, associate dean of MCG's Albany-based Southwest Georgia campus, see this partnership as a catalyst for change in the Albany area. “As the healthcare disparity between rural communities and higher-income areas continues to widen, I encourage students to consider communities like Albany to practice medicine,” Patten explains. Though he does not take credit for the Mentorship Alliance, placing the initiative instead with his students, he confirms the partnership is directly in line with the mission of MCG, and praises the efforts of his team. “Many of our students were inspired when they visited the 4C Academy as part of their tour of the MCG Southwest campus; they were drawn to something special at the 4C.”

A Georgia charter school, the 4C Academy serves students in Dougherty, Terrell, Calhoun and Baker, and is in partnership with the business community, Albany Technical College and Albany State University. The 4C Academy offers 14 career pathways with three focused in healthcare.

According to 4C Academy’s Healthcare Science Instructor, Jessica Blanchard, “Many of our students want to be advanced medical providers, but they aren’t sure how they will be able to obtain the education necessary," said 4C Academy Healthcare Science Instructor Jessica Blanchard. Because of limitations at home, some have a difficult time seeing how they can go further and do more than their parents and grandparents.”

Shian McLeish and Paula Delgado are fourth-year students at the Medical College of Georgia who are doing their rotations at the MCG's Albany-based Southwest Georgia campus and also mentoring students at 4C.

"You don't always feel good because of your background but you are," McLeish tells her mentees. "You hit milestones that confirm you are good enough; you can accomplish your goals.” Many MCG student mentors have overcome their own adversity; Patten comes them "chain breakers."

“Many of these students are the first in their families to attend medical school, or even graduate from college or high school.”

"There are also students like Bria Carrithers, a fourth-year student and MD candidate.

"I grew up in Albany," she said, "and I want other academically strong students to see that it is possible to stay the course and become a physician for medically underserved people in our hometown."

Chris Hatcher, the academy's CEO, praises the efforts of the MCG mentors as the program aligns directly with the mission of the 4C Academy. According to Hatcher, an Albany native and serial entrepreneur turned academy executive. “This mentorship alliance is providing so much value to our students and their preparation − for whatever is next," said Hatcher − and we applaud these MCG students for their willingness to give back.”