Medical staff doubles gift to UC Med Mentors for laptop giveaway
April 10 was an exciting day for 20 Cincinnati Public School elementary and middle school students who participate in the UC Med Mentor program. Each of the kids received a free laptop computer to help them with their studies.
The laptops were funded by Cincinnati Children’s medical staff, who initially pledged $5,000 a year for three years to help pay for them. “This is the third year of the medical staff’s commitment, and they doubled the amount to $10,000,” says Charles Cavallo, MD, who leads the program. “Usually, we give computers to 10 students each year. But this time, we were able to give them to 20.”
The UC Med Mentor program was founded in 2001 by professor emeritus Wan Lim, PhD, to connect medical students with Cincinnati youth during their time at the college. Mentors are recruited almost exclusively from the first- and second-year classes in order to provide multiple years of mentorship.
“We partner with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative to find and screen the kids,” says Cavallo. “To be eligible for a laptop, the students must be nominated by their mentor, and they have to be in good academic standing with their school and with the Med Mentor program. They must also have parental permission.”
The computers come loaded with educational software, games and Microsoft Office. A protective case, screen cover and computer bag are also included, as well as a class on basic use and care of the laptop.
Follow-up surveys indicate that, after receiving computers, students have shown improvement in their grades, behavior and sense of responsibility.
The Med Mentor program aligns with the missions of Cincinnati Children’s and the UC College of Medicine concerning social justice and education. Says Cavallo, “We’ve realized that, when it comes to caring for kids, you can’t just treat the ear infection. You have to be cognizant of the whole family and the barriers to care.”
