Introduction:
Stethoscope Friendship is a project initiated by the Society of Turkish American Physicians (STAP) in collaboration with the non-profit organization Kadin Hekimler Egitime Destek Vakfi (KAHEV) in Turkey. Our shared mission is to provide educational and psychosocial support to those in need.

In this project, our primary focus is on medical students in Turkey who have been significantly affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6th, 2023. We deeply understand and recognize the exceptional challenges these students face, and we are fully committed to assisting them in rebuilding their dreams. Our unique approach combines financial support and mentorship to ensure that these promising medical students receive the help they need to overcome adversity and thrive in their educational and personal journeys.

Project Overview:

That was catastrophic! That tore through our region and left a trail of heartache and despair. Countless individuals including medical students and their families bore the brunt of this catastrophe. No one can fully grasp the depth of their suffering and the extent of their pain with 100% empathy. Some bore the unforgiving loss of their entire families, while others faced the anguish of losing their homes and dear family members and friends. Stethoscope Friendship has stepped in to provide unwavering support to these resilient students.

Our project is centered around two key pillars:

Financial Support: We comprehend the immense stress that comes with being a medical student, and we believe that financial constraints should not be allowed to impede their journey. To address this, we have provided a total amount of $10,534.00 for financial support. This translates to $770 per student for 16 months of assistance. These 14 medical students were carefully selected based on KAHEV’s specific criteria. This financial support acts as a pivotal bridge, ensuring that these determined individuals can continue their medical education.

Mentorship by Medical Professionals: Our mentors, who are volunteer medical doctors from STAP members, play an essential role in guiding and providing psychosocial support to the students. These mentors bring their invaluable expertise to the table, offering insights into the medical field and actively listening to the students’ needs and challenges. Their empathetic guidance is instrumental in helping the students overcome the psychosocial challenges they face

Mentor Preparation: Our mentors’ readiness for this project was of utmost importance. They underwent a specialized two-day, two-hour webinar to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective support to the students. Upon successfully completing the webinar, they became eligible to mentor these medical students, ensuring that they are well-prepared to offer the guidance and support needed during their journey.

Impact: The Stethoscope Friendship project, with its focus on both financial stability and mentorship, has already begun to make a significant impact on the lives of the earthquake-affected medical students. They are not only rebuilding their dreams but also emerging as future medical doctors who will contribute to the recovery and well-being of their communities.

Future Endeavors: Stethoscope Friendship is committed to fostering resilience, providing opportunities, and helping earthquake-affected medical students rebuild their dreams. Together, we are making a meaningful impact on their journey to becoming medical doctors.