“There’s this saying that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see.’ I was a first-generation student, and at first, I didn’t really believe that. I thought I could go after things on my own, and I didn’t really need to see other people doing it,” she explained. “But the further along I went down this path, the harder it became to figure out how to do things when I didn’t have a parent or a friend or a mentor who could give me the inside tricks and tips. I realized in medical school, there’s kind of a hidden curriculum that you can’t just figure out on your own; you need a guide. I realized I needed to find mentors, and after finding how much easier it made things for me, I wanted to be that mentor for other people.”
The Value of Mentorship
Laura DiChiacchio ’12M (MS), ’13M (PhD), ’15M (MD) relied on mentorship to navigate medical school. She now looks to help others in the same way
Laura DiChiacchio ’12M (MS), ’13M (PhD), ’15M (MD) is a cardiac surgeon at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA. Her work focuses on heart and lung transplantation, and she also performs adult cardiac surgery operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic, and valve replacement surgery. Despite the rigors of her profession, she still prioritizes volunteerism and mentoring through the Association of Women Surgeons, Women in Thoracic Surgery, the Thoracic Surgery Medical Student Association, and the University of Rochester.
After earning her third degree from URochester, DiChiacchio continued to the University of Maryland for general surgery training and residency, and then to the University of Utah for a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship. The further she traveled on her professional journey, the more invested she became in the importance of mentorship and its value for both mentors and mentees.
Her story is similar to many first-generation students, and it can be difficult to navigate a path nobody before you has walked. To ease this transition, the University has invested in its First-Generation Network, giving students access to mentorship and connection to alumni with shared experiences.
The Meliora Collective Mentorship Program is available to students and alumni, and DiChiacchio has mentored with the program for four cycles. She had seen the value of mentorship in her own academic journey and was eager to pass that on when she was first contacted to participate. “I didn’t really know what it was all about, or how much time it would take, or whether I would do a good job, or what it would look like, but I just responded yes,” she said.
She has worked mainly with pre-medical students. Many mentees just want to know how they can pursue their passions while remaining competitive applicants for medical school. DiChiacchio had similar experiences and is able to help students navigate an application process that can feel confusing at times.
But the relationship can go beyond just those initial meetings. She has been able to meet mentees in person and connect them with her own network. “It was a really cool experience to bring that mentorship across states and into real life,” she said. “To see those relationships grow into something else is always a rewarding feeling.”
DiChiacchio’s continued involvement with the University underscores her commitment to this community. Whether she’s mentoring through The Meliora Collective or through the other organizations she dedicates her time to, her work reflects the Rochester spirit of Ever Better.
Looking to get involved?
As DiChiacchio said, “When you get that email that comes across your desk, instead of just deleting it, just try it. Oftentimes it doesn’t take that much time, it’s really fulfilling, and easy to do.”
Interested in mentorship? Visit the Meliora Collective and create an account today or get involved through the First-Generation Network.
Take that first small step!
—Benjamin Vandenberg, November 2025