Student Sidekicks at Boston Medical Center

What is Sidekicks?

Sidekicks is a program run by students at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine that pairs children with chronic illness to medical student “sidekicks.” This program emphasizes supportive care and aims to alleviate the stress of living with a chronic illness, both for the child and the family members. We accomplish this by fostering relationships between pediatric patients and Boston University medical students, giving the participants an additional outlet and mentor to confide in. Sidekicks provides the child with a friendly face in the medical community.

Mission: Sidekicks seeks to provide support to children with chronic illness and complex needs by connecting them with medical student “sidekicks.” This group also works to enhance the education of medical students about pediatric chronic illness by inviting experts in the field to give talks to our members.

Goals:

1. Foster mentoring relationships between pediatric patients with chronic illness and medical students.
2. Provide educational opportunities for students through lunch talks and other events.
3. Plan opportunities for all students and patients to interact with the rest of the Sidekicks community.

Group Email: busmsidekicks@gmail.com