Become a Mentor

Our Philosophy

Mentor The Next

Mentor the Next is our call to action for Central Texas healthcare professionals to shape the future of medicine. Whether you speak on a student panel, host a shadowing experience, or supervise a clinical rotation, your time and expertise change lives—and build a stronger, more representative health workforce for our region.

Why Teach?

Many clinicians find that teaching adds meaning to their work.
Research on academic affiliation and meaningful professional roles shows that teaching can be associated with higher career satisfaction and lower emotional exhaustion.

Precepting is one of the most impactful ways to “mentor the next.”
Through Waco AHEC’s clinical placement work, we support PA and NP student training and undergraduate shadowing in Waco Family Medicine clinics.
We also offer clinical faculty appointments through SHSU-COM, giving Central Texas physicians a chance to shape the next generation of osteopathic physicians dedicated to improving health across Texas.

Beyond Precepting

Precepting is a powerful way to get involved—but it’s not the only way.
Our pipeline programs introduce students to healthcare careers through:

  • Hands-on workshops and career days

  • Shadowing opportunities

  • Mentorship with experienced providers

Whether you're teaching a med student or talking to a high schooler, you’re helping a future healthcare professional find their path.

We Work With Your Schedule

Mentorship and precepting can be:

  • One-time – Serve on a student panel or lead a skills session

  • Short-term – Host a student for a shadowing day or 2–3 week experience

  • Recurring – Serve as a clinical preceptor or longitudinal mentor

Our team will support you every step of the way—from onboarding to paperwork to student matching.
And no, you don’t have to work at Waco Family Medicine to get involved. We partner with providers across any clinic, hospital, or private practice across our region.

Become a Preceptor
Become a Pipeline Mentor

Who is a preceptor?

A preceptor is a practicing health professional that teaches others. For example, a preceptor could be a physician, nurse, midwife, or physician assistant that teaches students in the clinic. A preceptor is a role model, helping to prepare students for their career in medicine, teaching best practices, and motivating students to be actively involved in patient care.

  • Board-certified physicians can precept medical, PA, and NP students

  • PAs can precept PA and/or NP students

  • NPs can precept NP and/or PA students

Our team will confirm eligibility with your clinic and the student’s training program to ensure fit. We’ll support your onboarding every step of the way.

Preceptor vs. Mentor

  • Precepting is time-limited, curriculum-based, and typically involves evaluating students during clinical placements.

    • Hosting a shadow is observational and informal — Shadowing hours allow students (often high school, college, or pre-health) to observe clinical settings, routines, and workflows to explore healthcare careers. No hands-on care or evaluations involved.

  • Mentoring focuses on longer-term professional development and often happens in one-on-one, small group, or panel settings—opportunities in our pipeline programs for middle, high school, and undergraduate students.

You’re welcome to do both. We’ll help you explore which options best match your time, interest, and teaching goals.

SHSU-COM Clinical Faculty in Central Texas

Interested in teaching third- and fourth-year osteopathic medical students? SHSU-COM partners with physician clinical faculty across Texas to provide hands-on training in real-world care settings.

Waco AHEC Executive Director Ashley Bearden serves as the Central Texas Regional Clinical Coordinator for Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, helping physicians precept SHSU-COM students. She supports physicians through onboarding, training, scheduling coordination, and ongoing troubleshooting to ensure a smooth teaching experience.

Email Ashley

Benefits of SHSU-COM Precepting

Clinical faculty members enjoy access to exclusive resources and professional development opportunities while contributing meaningfully to the next generation of DOs. Benefits include:

  • Title as SHSU-COM Clinical Faculty

  • Access to UpToDate (a $559//year value)

  • SHSU library access to medical texts and journals

  • Faculty development programming with CME opportunities (free)

  • EHR documentation support via student verification

  • Patient education and outreach assistance

  • Greater satisfaction and reduced burnout

  • Stipend for physicians that precept students, if requested

How to Get Started

Becoming a clinical faculty member is simple. We offer flexible options for physicians in a variety of specialties and locations across Texas. Whether you’re new to precepting or continuing your commitment to education, here are your next steps:

Resources for Preceptors

General Resources:

Coaching & Mentoring Students:

In the clinic:

Feedback:

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Precept a Clinical Rotation – Supervise a PA, NP, MD, or DO student in your clinic.

    • Host a Shadow – Let a pre-health student observe your work for a few hours.

    • Join a Panel – Share your career story or answer questions about your journey to healthcare at a CHAMPS event.

    • One-on-One Mentorship – Be matched with a student for periodic virtual chats or check-ins.

    • Skill-building Session – Lead a hands-on demo or case discussion at a student workshop.

    • Mock Interview Session — Help pre-med students refine their interview skills and build confidence, focusing on traditional or MMI formats

    • Become a Board Member — We meet virtually on a quarterly basis for an hour. Email ashely.bearden@wacofamilymedicine.org if you’re interested.

    • Propose Something New – Have an idea? Let us know—we welcome creative formats.

    • You’ll be contacted by AHEC staff to learn more about your interests

    • You’ll receive a welcome packet or onboarding email

    • We’ll match you with opportunities that fit your time, skills, and student needs

    • You’ll be appreciated and supported—always!

  • We’re excited to welcome you!
    Our annual Pipeline Showcase celebrates Waco AHEC’s impact and invites healthcare professionals to get involved in mentoring and precepting across Central Texas. Dinner will be provided.

    At the showcase, you’ll:

    • Learn how our pipeline programs support students from high school through professional training

    • Hear from current mentors, preceptors, and student participants

    • Explore flexible ways to get involved—from one-time mentoring to clinical supervision

    • Connect with our team and sign up for opportunities that match your schedule and interests

    We'll also take time to honor our current preceptors and present awards in recognition of their vital role in developing the future health workforce.

    Haven’t RSVP’d yet?
    Email us at ahec@wacofamilymedicine.org — we’d love to save you a seat!

  • Physicians, NPs, PAs, nurses, therapists, and other licensed healthcare professionals are all welcome. You don’t need teaching experience, we provide support and orientation. If you're passionate about guiding future providers, there's a place for you here.

  • It’s totally flexible. You might:

    • Speak on a one-time student panel

    • Host a student for a single shadowing day

    • Precept for a two-week clinical rotation

    • Meet quarterly with a mentee for in-person or virtual check-ins

    We’ll help you find the right fit.

    • SHSU-COM rotations are typically 1 month for MS3s/MS4s (approx. 160 hours or whenever you are in clinic).

    • Our most common clinical preceptorship placements range from 90-150 hours.

    • Our most common undergraduate shadowing placements range from 50-70 hours.

    • Our most common high school shadowing placements are 20 hours.

  • We love that! Whether it’s hosting a lunch-and-learn, leading a field trip, or pairing up with a colleague for co-mentorship, your creativity is welcome. Just share your idea when you reach out or attend an event.

  • Absolutely.
    Mentorship and precepting are both considered valuable professional service and educational contributions. You can list your role under:

    • Teaching or Academic Appointments (e.g., “Clinical Preceptor, Waco AHEC” or “Clinical Faculty, SHSU-COM”)

    • Volunteer Service or Community Engagement

    • Professional Development or Mentorship Activities

    If you serve as SHSU-COM Clinical Faculty, you will receive an official title and documentation for credentialing or promotion purposes.

    Let us know if you’d like a letter of participation or confirmation—we’re happy to provide it!

  • Yes!
    We welcome student mentors from all stages of training, including undergraduates, medical students, PA/NP students, and other health professions learners.

    Many of our CHAMPS high school students love hearing from near-peer mentors who are just a few steps ahead in their journeys. You might:

    • Join a student panel or Q&A about college and career paths

    • Lead a small group or simulation session during CHAMPS Camp

    • Share your story in a classroom or workshop

    • Stay connected with a student through one-on-one or group mentoring

    • Volunteer as a tutor for STEM tutoring & mentor sessions

    It’s a powerful way to give back, grow your leadership skills, and inspire future providers—just like someone likely did for you.

    Interested? Complete our Become a Pipeline Mentor form.

Waco Region Point of Contact

Morris, Program Specialist

email: caelie.morris@wacofamilymedicine.org or caelie.morris@txaheceast.org

phone: (254) 313-5109