Student, Spouse, & Parent Info

Preceptorships

For Students

Alumni Residencies

Many students wonder if spending four weeks on the whole person care preceptorship is a wise use of time. With the intense competition for residencies, some argue it would be better to spend that time doing research or a clerkship to enhance one’s residency applications. We understand the dilemma.

Perhaps the more critical question is whether God is trustworthy and able to place you in the residency he has planned for you. We believe that as you seek and follow his specific direction for your summer – whatever that may be – he is able to accomplish the specific plans he has for your training and your life.

While there are numerous factors involved in one’s residency selection, this list shows how some whole person care preceptorship alumni have faired in the match with many continuing in fellowships and sub-specialty fellowships.

Alumni Schools

Medical students participating in the preceptorship have come from some 70+ medical schools across the US and 11 countries.

Schools represented include UCLA, Harvard, Brown, Baylor, University of Hong Kong, University of Southern California, Case Western Reserve University, Johns Hopkins University, Rush, Columbia, Oklahoma, The Ohio State University, Northwestern, Boston University, and Duke.

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(Partial List)

  • Anesthesiology - Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Anesthesiology – University of Connecticut
  • Dermatology – Louisiana State University
  • Emergency Medicine – New Orleans
  • Emergency Medicine – University of Mississippi
  • Family Medicine – Harbor/UCLA
  • Family Medicine – Christ Community Health Services
  • Family Medicine – In His Image, Tulsa
  • Family Medicine - University of California, San Francisco
  • Family Medicine – University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
  • Family Practice – Ventura, CA
  • General Surgery – Baylor University, Dallas
  • General Surgery – Cooperstown, NY
  • General Surgery – The Cleveland Clinic
  • Internal Medicine - Brown University
  • Internal Medicine – Cedars Sinai
  • Internal Medicine – The Johns Hopkins University
  • Internal Medicine - University of California, San Francisco
  • Internal Medicine – University of Southern California
  • Internal Medicine – University of Alabama-Birmingham
  • Internal Medicine - University of Michigan
  • Internal Medicine – Scripps Green
  • Internal Medicine – Mayo Clinic
  • Med/Peds – University of Utah
  • Med/Peds – Loma Linda University Medical Center
  • Neurology – Baylor University, Houston
  • Neurology – University of Southern California
  • Neurosurgery-University of Kentucky
  • OB/Gyn – Tulane University
  • Orthopaedic Surgery – University of Georgia-Augusta
  • Orthopaedeic Surgery – Loma Linda University Medical Center
  • Ophthalmology – Cornell
  • Ophthalmology – Loma Linda University
  • Ophthalmology – UCLA
  • Pathology - Stanford
  • Pediatrics – Cornell
  • Pediatrics – Mayo Clinic
  • Pediatrics – Loma Linda University
  • Pediatrics – University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • Plastic Surgery – University of California Davis
  • PMR – Columbia/Cornell
  • PMR – University of Michigan
  • Psychiatry – Duke University
  • Psychiatry-University of Indiana
  • Psychiatry – Northwestern University
  • Psychiatry – University of California San Diego
  • Radiation Oncology – Baylor University, Dallas
  • Radiation Oncology – Syracuse
  • Rehabilitation Medicine - Northwestern University
  • Abdominal Transplant Surgery Fellowship - University of Washington
  • Hematology/Oncology Fellowship - City of Hope
  • Hematology/Oncology Fellowship- Mayo Clinic
  • Hematology/Oncology Fellowship - Olive View UCLA Medical Center
  • Sports Medicine Fellowship - University of California Irvine
  • Cardiology Fellowship – Medical University of South Carolina
  • Cardiology Fellowship – Wake Forest School of Medicine
  • Interventional Radiology Fellowship – Loma Linda University Medical Center
  • Interventional Cardiology Fellowship – UC Davis
  • Interventional Cardiology Fellowship – Seattle, WA
  • Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship - Stanford University
  • Structural Heart Disease Fellowship – UC Davis

For Spouses

A Letter to Spouses

couple

As my husband approached the end of his first year of medical school, he was trying to discern what God wanted him to do for the summer. A second year medical student spoke to his class about the Medical Strategic Network’s whole person care preceptorship. After praying over this opportunity and seeking counsel from others, we decided as a couple that this would be an awesome opportunity for him to learn how he could use his future practice as a doctor and even his current position as a medical student to influence others for Christ and share the good news of the Gospel.

This was an exciting yet difficult decision. Since I am an elementary school teacher and not involved in the medical field, we discussed and prayed about this opportunity with the assumption that my husband would take part in the month long mission project in California and I would stay at our home in Nebraska. I was excited for my husband, yet I wasn’t looking forward to being separated from him for a month.

After my husband had applied for the preceptorship, we received a phone call from Bob Mason, the director. Bob asked my husband if I would be coming as well. My husband explained that I wasn’t in the medical field, but Bob told him that wasn’t a concern, and that he felt this was an opportunity that would benefit us as a couple and as individuals.

I don’t know which scared me more: being away from my husband for a month or committing myself to being the only person on the preceptorship not involved in medicine. I had it in my head that I would be some sort of outcast, where talks and discussions would all involve medical terminology and none of the topics would apply to me. As much as I wanted to be with my husband over the summer, surely God wouldn’t be calling me to this kind of atmosphere!

We prayed over this decision, and it appeared that this was something the Lord was leading us to do together. I still had concerns in my head: how were we going to raise twice the money, who would take care of our house, how would I be able to contribute to this preceptorhsip, could I handle the homesickness I was sure I would experience so many worldly questions. I finally had to give it all up to God and say, “Lord, if this is your will, you have already taken care of the details. I need you to help me trust and follow.”

How the Lord answered our prayers! From the first day we arrived, God’s work was evident. Nearly everything we learned I could take back to my own work place and to every other area of my life. I had a wonderful mentor who poured her heart and time into me. I wrote a mission statement for my life and explored how God would have me to serve him based on the way he designed me. I had a small group of six women with whom I was able to be completely open and vulnerable, sharing my life story, good parts and bad parts, with them. I learned the power of the Holy Spirit, and how to rely on Him in sharing the Gospel, or even planting seeds for someone down the road to share. I learned about my identity as a child of God, and for the first time, realized how I am a new creation in him. I was even able to put my skills as a teacher to use by volunteering at an after school program for at-risk youth.

Looking back on it, I can’t imagine having not gone to the preceptorship. There is no way that my husband could have explained the experience to me in a way that I could have fully understood the impact of the preceptorship. It brought us closer to God in our individual walks with him. It also brought us closer to God in our marriage through many things he taught us while we were on the project. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity the Lord gave us through this experience. I would highly encourage others to prayerfully consider attending the summer mission project with their spouse. God so greatly blessed us through our summer with the Medical Strategic Network. My desire is for others to have the same experience.

Jessica Reade
Omaha, Nebraska

For Parents

"As a father of two millennial daughters, please know that we will treat your son or daughter in the same way that I’d want my own daughters to be treated. As a neurosurgeon, I assure you this unique training will equip your student to provide a superior level of patient care while also helping them excel spiritually, personally, and professionally."

Greg Bonnen, MD
President, Medical Strategic Network

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We are excited that your son or daughter is considering taking part in this summer professional opportunity with Medical Strategic Network (MSN). We firmly believe that this is one of the best things a student can do with his or her summer. These students are given a rare opportunity to develop skills, leadership abilities, and character traits that will become part of the foundation of who they will be for a lifetime.

You need to be informed about our summer trips and what they involve. We support you, both as a parent and in your role as a guide and guardian of your child. You are encouraged to explore this site to learn more about MSN. If you cannot find the answers you want, please contact us at 790-249-6761 with any questions or concerns you may have.

Your student’s safety is our priority!

“Redlands is still one of the safest communities in the United States. The University of Redlands (where students are housed) Public Safety is one of the most professional safety groups around. Most of the officers are retired law enforcement officers.”

Chief Jim Bueerman (Ret.), President
Police Foundation
Washington, DC

While no one can guarantee the complete safety of anyone, anywhere, we do take common sense precautions. Upon their arrival, students will have orientation to life in Southern California including street smart precautions and what to do in case of an emergency.

You are welcome to call or text our director, Bob Mason. His personal cell number will be provided to your student before they arrive in California.

If you are unable to reach Bob or your student, for only matters that are urgent in nature, please call 1-888-899-9292. This number is monitored 24 hours each day to help provide emergency services for the students on summer mission trips and their families.

For general questions, please do not call the 24 hour number. Instead, please call 760-249-6761. This voice mail is cleared frequently. Email is another way to contact us with matters that are a bit less time sensitive. Please email us at fireseeds@medsn.org

When calling, please be ready to give the following info:

  • Your name and your student’s name
  • Tell them whether your student is on the Whole Person Care Preceptorship or the Pre-Med/Pre-Pro Healthcare Student Mission in Redlands, California.
  • How to contact you

Who will be leading my son/daughter?

Bob and Diana Mason, along with a team of physicians, nurses, healthcare professionals, and MSN staff, will oversee all administrative operations. They are responsible for scheduling, logistics, teaching, training, and discipling the entire group. Bob and Diana have combined 50+ years experience leading university and graduate students. They strive to provide a quality experience for each person. The Masons are parents of two adult children – Jordan who is serving with Cru at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Elissa who is working as a registered nurse on an OB unit at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Southern California.

What does the cost of the trip pay for?

Costs includes housing, all meals, local transportation, materials (Bible studies, notebooks, evangelistic materials, etc.), special activities, and administrative costs.

Are all donations tax deductible?

Medical Strategic Network is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making all donations to the ministry tax-deductible. In order to receive a tax deduction, the IRS requires donors to release to Medical Strategic Network the control of how their donations are spent. This means all contributions raised for mission trips must be payable to Medical Strategic Network in order to receive a tax deduction.

Please note: The application fee is not considered a donation.

Each year MSN helps invited students raise the money for their adventures. Raising the money is probably easier than you think. Once your student has been accepted to this summer opportunity with MSN, they will receive assistance in writing support letters, making phone calls, and following up with potential sponsors.

We have found that there are two major resources that will help students raise their money. As we go through them, remember – GOD is always our source!

Family and friends: It is very helpful for your son or daughter to share the story of what God has done in their heart with family and close friends. We will help your student write a support letter to share where they are going, why they are going, and how the family member or friend can be a part of what God wants to do through them. It is important for your student to let them know how much the trip is going to cost so that they know how much help will be needed. This will give them the opportunity to be a part of your son or daughter’s summer mission trip. Support letters not only give people the opportunity to help financially, but also prayerfully. It is a great way to allow people to see what God is doing, especially to those who may not know you very well. Family and friends, regardless of their religious beliefs, will often be very willing to help—all you have to do is ask. Remember, the money that they give is for God, not for you, so don’t hesitate to ask. It is also tax deductible which is a big plus!

Pastor and youth pastors: Churches desire and are often able to be a part of sending your son or daughter on a mission trip like this. Your son or daughter could set up a meeting with the pastor and/or youth pastor to share what God has placed on their heart. See if they would be willing to help by allowing your student to address the church, take up an offering, or talk with the mission’s board.

Once your son or daughter has been accepted, they will receive a welcome packet from us with all the information they will need and you most likely you will want to know. If you and your student have questions not answered in this packet, we encourage you to contact the Masons by email or phone. Their contact info will be in the welcome packet.

Communication with your son or daughter while they are gone

We know that simply hearing your son or daughter’s voice can set your mind at ease, so we encourage students to call home after arriving in Redlands. They will be accessible via their personal phone and email daily.

Can my son or daughter leave during the summer?

We ask that all students who have been accepted to be a part of the trip make themselves available for the entire length of the trip. We generally do not allow students to leave for overnight trips due to safety concerns, group continuity, and scheduled activities.

A student may be allowed to attend a family reunion, wedding, etc., but only after receiving advance permission from the leadership. Students are asked to make such requests in their application and again in their formal acceptance packet.

Can I visit my student’s location?

Yes, of course. We suggest you just check in advance with your son or daughter to determine a time that is conducive to their schedule.