UR Mentor LAB


What is UR Mentor LAB?

UR Mentor LAB is a group-based peer mentoring initiative designed to foster faculty growth, collaboration, and leadership. Small groups of faculty meet four times throughout the academic year for structured mentoring sessions.

This evidence-based model has been shown to enhance faculty vitality, career progression, and leadership skills while advancing the shared goals of academic communities. Each UR Mentor LAB group is led by faculty facilitators who participated in the UR Mentor LAB FIT Program.

Faculty participants in UR Mentor LAB will:

  • Develop a career vision aligned with their core values, strengths, and professional identities
  • Create individualized goals and development plans for personal and professional growth
  • Build mentoring skills to help others clarify their goals and achieve success
  • Apply best practices in leadership and teamwork
  • Cultivate a sense of meaning and belonging within a scholarly community

Eligibility

UR Mentor LAB welcomes University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry faculty at various stages of their careers, including early-, mid- and late-career, researchers, clinician-educators, and leaders in medical education.

Fees

Fees for UR Mentor LAB are fully sponsored through the generous support of the Office of the Dean of the School of Medicine & Dentistry.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Accreditation

UR Mentor LAB is accredited for CME and APA credit through the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Office for Continuing Medical Education. Participants may claim 6.5 CME hours per session, for a total of 26 CME hours upon completion of all four sessions. The program may also be used for URMC MCIC malpractice reduction training credit.

Program Dates: 2026–2027

All sessions are in-person at or near the URMC campus and run from 9:00 a.m.  to 5:00 p.m. Participants must select either Group A or Group B; no crossover, make-up days, or virtual attendance will be available. Participants are required to attend all 4 sessions in person. Faculty will also meet with one or two peer group members for 60 minutes between sessions. 

UR Mentor LAB – Group A dates (2 peer mentoring groups)

  • September 15
  • January 13
  • March 9
  • May 25

UR Mentor LAB – Group B dates (2 peer mentoring groups)

  • September 16
  • January 14
  • March 10
  • May 26

Application Process

Applications will open January 7, 2026. 

To apply, please complete the application form by February 26, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (EST). The application includes a brief survey about your career focus, interest in the program, and ability to commit to attending the program in-person on scheduled dates. Applicants are also asked to provide a letter of support from their supervisor.

Applications will be reviewed by the UR Mentor LAB Committee, and faculty will be notified in April 2026. 

UR Mentor LAB is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and welcomes faculty of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin.

Contact Information

For questions about the program, please contact:

Kayla LaClair
Administrative Assistant
UR Mentor LAB
URMentorLABadmin@urmc.rochester.edu