Now in its second year, MD Link is made up of 30 students who mentor youth, run workshops, and spread community awareness.
Minneapolis — Michael Kelly We know that not everyone plays a big role in their lives. Her sophomore medical student at the University of Minnesota was raised in foster care.
“I moved about 16 times before college… went through five different schools,” Kelly said. “There have been many instabilities in my life.”
Kelly said that the people in his life who helped him get to college ultimately encouraged others to become that person when he had the resources and means to do so. Said it motivated him. Then, when he was in his freshman year of medical school, he finally founded the group he had dreamed of. MD link.
“It started right away. I met another colleague who came with the idea of reaching out to the community and seeing how we, as medical students, could improve young people,” Kelly said. said.
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Already a registered non-profit organization, the group has three “pillars of advocacy”: mentorship, workshops and community awareness.
Student leaders also host educational workshops for community members on everything from STI education to financial literacy. Together, we host workshops on trauma-her informed care and cultural humility. Her Mo Hicks, also her sophomore in medical school, leads these workshops.
“It means being a leader, being a mentor,” Hicks said. “It means being able to address these factors that may not have been thought of before in the area of what doctors should do, and being able to have some of these skills to deal with some of the trauma.” I mean .. the inequality going on in their community.”
The group is growing rapidly. Now, Kelly says she’s excited to have non-medical students on board. She already has several law students as members.
“We just turned into this beautifully blossoming nonprofit that really fills a lot of our cups,” he said.
You can donate to non-profit organizations hereor learn how participate.
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