Building the next generation of surgeons through mentorship, exposure, and opportunity
Overview
The UBC UpSurge Mentorship Program is a an initiative within the University of British Columbia Department of Surgery designed to support learners at all stages who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and surgical specialties.
UpSurge provides early, structured, and longitudinal mentorship, connecting high school students, pre-medical learners, medical students, surgical residents and surgeon staff physicians. Through a near-peer mentorship model, the program aims to demystify surgical training pathways, foster confidence, and support informed career exploration.
Why UpSurge
Early Access
Mentorship begins early in the training pathway, before traditional barriers emerge.
Near-Peer Guidance
Learners receive practical advice from individuals who have recently navigated the same path.
Supportive Community
A structured environment that fosters confidence, clarity, and belonging.
A Longitudinal Mentorship Pipeline
Participants are supported at each stage with tailored mentorship, allowing relationships and professional development to evolve over time. This longitudinal approach strengthens continuity and supports informed career progression.
Program Structure
Near-Peer Mentorship
Residents and Surgeon staff serve as program leaders and primary mentors
Medical students act as co-mentors and facilitators
Participants are paired based on stage and interests
Longitudinal Engagement
One-on-one or small-group mentorship
Regular check-ins throughout the academic year
Personalized academic and career guidance
Workshops & Skills Exposure
Surgical skills sessions (e.g., suturing, knot-tying)
Career navigation (applications, electives, research)
Resident and staff panels
Who Can Participate
Mentees
- High school students interested in medicine
- Undergraduate and pre-medical learners
- UBC medical students exploring surgical careers
- Surgical residents
Mentors
- Surgical residents across UBC programs
- Senior medical students interested in mentorship and education
Sustainability & Evaluation
The program is designed for long-term integration within UBC through reusable workshop materials, a standardized mentorship framework, and annual leadership succession from medical students to residents
Program outcomes are evaluated through participant surveys, engagement tracking, and qualitative feedback to support continuous improvement
Connect With UpSurge
Join a growing community of learners, mentors, and educators committed to shaping the future of surgery.