AOA iLEARN Mentor Program Frequently Asked Questions
AOA iLEARN Mentor Exchange Program
Who can become a mentor?
Any AOA member that wishes to help and osteopathic student, intern, resident, young physician or premed student realize their potential can become a mentor.
What is the time commitment for a mentor?
The length of time you mentor an individual is dependent upon the mutual agreement between you and the mentee and the circumstance that initiated the request.
Do you have to have an email address to participate in the iLEARN Mentor Exchange?
Yes. Mentors must initially create a profile online; however, they can stipulate in their profile that the prefered contact is via phone. A mentees initial contact will always made via email, once that contact is made the mentor and mentee can agree upon the best method of communication.
How do you find a mentor?
Log on to the site by visiting the Mentor Exchange page (if it is your first time logging on you will need to create a profile). Locate the "I want to find a mentor" link located on the Quick Links toolbar. You can enter your mentor criteria, include a brief introduction about yourself and a list of mentors matching your criteria choices will be displayed. You can select multiple mentors you want your introductory message to be sent to by clicking on the submit button.
It is a requirement of most colleges of osteopathic medicine to submit a letter of recommendation from a DO along with the application. Shadowing an osteopathic physician is the best way to obtain a letter of recommendation. To find a mentor to shadow log on to the site by visiting the Mentor Exchange page (if it is your first time logging on you will need to create a profile) and search for a mentor.
AOA iLEARN Mentor Hall of Fame
Who can be inducted into the AOA iLEARN Mentor Hall of Fame?
Members of the osteopathic professional family who were nominated for the AOA Mentor of the Year award and met the criteria standards for the award.
How often are mentors inducted into the AOA iLEARN Mentor Hall of Fame?
How do I nominate a mentor?
Nominations can be submitted online through this web site. Click here to go directly to the submission form and follow the prompts.
I nominated my mentor. Why is he/she not in the AOA iLEARN Mentor Hall of Fame?
If you nominated your mentor, but do not see him or her in the Hall of Fame, they may not have been eligible to be a recipient of the AOA Mentor of the Year award. If you feel this is an error please click the Contact Us link and forward your question or concern to the Mentor Hall of Fame Program.
AOA iLEARN Recognition Program
Who can I nominate?
Any member of the osteopathic professional family is eligible for nomination of this prestigious award. As long as your mentor meets the each criteria (listed below), they are eligible to be nominated and potentially named AOA Mentor of the Year.
Although we encourage submitting the application through this site, you may submit a letter that includes all of the pertinent information requested on the online nomination form. If you opt to submit a letter nomination, please ensure that the information is legible. Fax submission should be sent to (312) 202-8443, attention Mentor of the Year Selection Committee Secretary. Mailed submission should be sent to:
AOA Department of Membership
Mentor of the Year Selection Committee
142 E.
The mentor fosters the long-term development from mentee to DO colleague, encouraging mentees to develop individual talents and strengths as an advisor and guide.
- The mentor facilitates mentees in acquiring the skills and resources needed to succeed as scholars and professionals.
- The mentor acts as an advocate and leader in professional matters, such as presentation of research findings, post-doctoral options and job placement and practice development.
- The mentor demonstrates respect and a sincere and active interest in the well being of mentees.
- The mentor is an AOA member in good standing.
What is the timeline for the recognition program?
Each calendar year the nomination submission deadline is the last day of the AOA’s annual House of Delegate meeting. *The
During the last week of July AOA staff gathers and collate each of the nominations and distribute them to the divisional and specialty groups and student groups.
The deadline to receive “society-backed” nominees from affiliates and students groups is in August. Additionally nominations are sent to the Mentor of the Year Selection Committee.
In September the mentor of the year finalists are notified.
How does an AOA affiliate participate in the recognition program?
In the initial phase of the nomination process, affiliates are asked to nominate one or several qualified DOs who are members of their organization following the criteria provided. To simplify the nomination process we encourage you to submit your nomination online. In the second phase of the nomination process, all the nominees from affiliates, as well as individual nominations, will be separated into each of the following categories: state of residency, specialty (if applicable), and college of osteopathic medicine from which the mentor graduated (if applicable). Executive Directors will receive all nominees pertaining to their respective organization to evaluate and chose one “society-backed” nomination to be named AOA Mentor of the Year. This recommendation will be submitted along with all the other submissions to the Mentor of the Year Selection Committee for consideration.
How can my group/organization promote this program?
The AOA is always looking for ways to promote the iLEARN programs. You may contact the AOA iLEARN Mentor Program by dialing (800) 621-1773, extension 8143 or via email at iLEARN@osteopathic.org to submit ideas on how you can promote the iLEARN program in conjunction with your groups own mentor program.
