The goal of the mentoring program is to improve patient care by fostering interaction and respect across disciplines, as well as improving the students' understanding of the needs and lifestyle challenges of a patient living with a chronic disease.

The Jefferson InterProfessional Education Center (JCIPE) recently wrapped up its first year of the two-year Health Mentors Program that pairs a chronically ill patient with a team of students from various disciplines -- two medical students, a nursing student and an occupational or physical therapy student. The goal of the mentoring program is to improve patient care by fostering interaction and respect across disciplines, as well as improving the students' understanding of the needs and lifestyle challenges of a patient living with a chronic disease.

"We gained a lot of respect for each other's profession, in addition to appreciating the important role of the patient and his or her family," said Elizabeth Daniels, nursing student, during a "Year in Review" celebration of the mentoring program on April 23. "I think we're all learning to differentiate between empathy and sympathy when it comes to helping our patients."

Elizabeth worked closely with her team which included medical students Sudeshna Chatterjee and Kaycie Corburn, and Amanda Pacheco, a physical therapy student. All the members agree that the mutual respect they developed for each other's specialty and their mentor's situation will help them provide better coordinated care when they graduate.

The team's patient mentor, Skip Voluntad, 77, who suffers from a number of chronic conditions including kidney disease and diabetes, expressed his enthusiasm for the program.

"It has been a wonderful experience," said Mr. Voluntad, an active member of several organizations that provide education and support for citizens of Asian descent struggling to navigate the healthcare system. "I wanted to give back to the community and help students appreciate the struggles of someone with a chronic disease."

Mr. Voluntad was eager to convey this message especially: "Every doctor needs to make his/her patient feel special. I think all these young students really understand that and will make wonderful healthcare providers when they graduate."