Mentorship and Advising

At UCSF, mentorship is a core part of how we support our residents. Recognizing that no one mentor can meet all your needs, we work with you to build a Mentorship Matrix: a tailored network of mentors who will guide and support you throughout your time in the program.  

Our mentorship model combines assigned mentors (people in your corner from Day 1) with organic connections that you develop while in our program. Residency is an incredibly transformational time – both personally and professionally – and we believe it is essential that you have trusted mentors who know you well and can help guide you along the way.  

We also offer structured career advising programs for both fellowship applicants and residents applying directly for jobs. Features include step-by-step timelines, job- and fellowship-specific advising, support with personal statements, CVs, and cover letters, and opportunities for mock interviews.  
 

Building your Mentorship Matrix at UCSF 

UCSF IM Resident


Here are some of the people who make up the Mentorship Matrix for UCSF IM residents: 

Firm Lead 
Faculty leader of your residency firm and your go-to person in residency leadership. For categorical residents, this person is an Associate Program Director; for primary care residents, this person is your Primary Care Program Director.  

RAD (“Resident Advising & Development”) Advisor  
A dedicated faculty mentor assigned at the start of residency, focused on supporting your transition to residency, self-reflection and goal-setting, and professional development.  

Program Director(s)  
Drs. Rebecca Berman (Residency Program Director), Joanie Addington-White (SFPC Program Director), and Ryan Laponis (UCPC Program Director) are always available for career advising, mentorship, and personal support.  

Your Big Sib 
As part of our Big Sib-Little Sib program, each intern is matched with a Big Sib (R2 or R3) at the start of residency. Your Big Sib is a second or third-year resident who can offer near-peer mentorship, personal support, and other advice for navigating the residency experience.  

Clinical Mentors 
Through the course of residency, you will connect with many of our amazing Department of Medicine faculty who will help guide your growth in real time in the hospital and in clinic. Your primary care clinic preceptors are people who you’ll work with throughout your time in residency and are another source of longitudinal mentorship.  

Research & Project Mentors 
Faculty collaborators who support your work in research, education, quality improvement, advocacy, and other areas of interest.  

Pathway Directors 
When you select an area of distinction through the GME Pathways program, your Pathway and Pathway Director serve as another source of longitudinal mentorship related to your academic and career interests.

Affinity Groups 
Communities focused on unique experiences within medicine that are open to all (e.g. The Residency Diversity Committee, Women in Leadership Development) that offer mentorship, solidarity, and connection.



Putting It All Together: The Mentoring & Advising Portal 

To help residents reflect on their goals and get the most out of these mentoring relationships, we’ve developed the Mentoring & Advising Portal (aka the “MAP”). The MAP is a brief, online tool that residents complete annually to clarify their career interests and mentoring needs. It helps guide conversations with Firm Leads and other mentors and serves as a longitudinal resource that evolves alongside your training. Residents consistently describe the MAP as easy to use, meaningful, and helpful in preparing for fellowship or job applications.