As 2024 came to a close, so did another inspiring season of the HERO Mentoring Program, a Northern Vermont AHEC initiative that continues to introduce high school students to the depth and diversity of health careers in a truly personal way.
This year’s cohort brought curiosity, heart, and a willingness to dig deep – not only into anatomy and physiology, but into big questions about community health, career goals, and who they are becoming. Even with a primarily virtual format, the impact was unmistakable. Mentors and mentees formed meaningful connections, explored pressing public health topics, and reflected on how science, empathy, and community intersect in the world of healthcare.
Each week, students explored a different body system – cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, digestive, and more – paired with real-world community health issues like vaping, disability stigma, food relationships, and sun safety. Through these sessions, participants were invited to think critically about health on both an individual and societal level.
” In several of our sessions, we compared how patients with certain conditions would be treated in the United States versus in Pakistan or India, where both of our families are from. These discussions provided valuable insight into Social Determinants of Health, as we examined how healthcare access, infrastructure, economic stability, and cultural beliefs shape medical treatment in different regions. Through these conversations, I not only strengthened my own cultural awareness but also gained a deeper appreciation for the ways in which healthcare systems must adapt to serve diverse populations effectively.”
– Mentor, M1 at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont
The program culminated in mentee-led exploration of topics like maternal health, neurodiversity, vision loss, and infectious disease. In choosing their final sessions, students had the opportunity to focus on what most resonated with them—whether that was learning about Alzheimer’s, examining vaccine access, or diving into the science of fetal development.
“Throughout this experience, I was surprised with how much I ended up learning myself while helping someone else learn. Medical schools can have a tendency to extract the interpersonal joy out from the health sciences, so from an academic standpoint, I did not realize how much I would enjoy teaching, exploring mysteries and pathways and tangents, and talking to another person to co-puzzle out their goals. I learned to persist through challenges and awkward conversational pauses over zoom, to tailor my preparation to be specific to my mentee, and to balance when to let my mentee take the lead.”
– Mentor, M1 at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont
The HERO program isn’t just about career exposure—it’s about building confidence and communication, setting goals, and seeing yourself as someone who belongs in healthcare. Through structured reflection, many students used their HERO experience to contribute to their Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs), recording progress in areas like problem-solving, wellness, and critical thinking.
“I went into this experience with the intention of figuring out whether I’d want to be in the medical field or not, and came out of it with a new best friend and new perspectives on various medical topics.”
– Mentee, High School Freshman
We are so proud of this year’s cohort—for their engagement, their resilience, and their willingness to show up for themselves and their communities. They’ve reminded us, once again, why Vermont’s next generation of health professionals is one to watch.
Interested in learning more about the HERO Mentoring Program or other health career exploration opportunities?
Visit nvtahec.org or email us at contact@nvtahec.org to discover how we are building pathways to health careers across the region. Interested in joining the next HERO Mentoring Program as a student or mentor? Complete this interest survey and a link to the application will be emailed to the address provided when the application opens in August.