Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about the importance of understanding the needs of both current and future generations and the best ways to bridge the gap across generations to serve those needs. They emphasized the need for a deeper grasp of generational traits, particularly how different cohorts navigate adversity, interpret history, and make sense of their own backgrounds and experiences. Participants also raised questions about what types of mentorship and training are most effective for first-generation medical students, who often face unique challenges and may require tailored forms of guidance.

These reflections underscored broader considerations about how to intentionally and responsibly leverage emerging forms of social capital, new technologies, and social media platforms. Participants wondered how well previous generations were equipped to pass down historical knowledge and hard-earned lessons, and how future generations will develop the self-efficacy needed to operate within complex social structures. They also noted the importance of examining how core values (such as work, learning, and expertise) are evolving, and what those shifts may mean for educational and professional pathways in the years ahead.

Research Questions

• What impact is technology having on social capital/social structures? What impact has technology had on emotional intelligence, relational dynamics, social structure, connection to history, capacity for practice, and application of knowledge that is human-centered? 
  
• What is the role of power structures in building social networks? 
  
• What is the role of culture in self-advocacy in community building? 
  
• How has the transfer of knowledge and information changed? What is the impact of that change  on structure, interpersonal relations, identity, matriculations, and persistence? 
  
• How does the misappropriation of “for us by us” (medical innovations) impact identity,  matriculation, and the ability to address new challenges/barriers? 
  
• What new social structures are being developed to meet the needs of new generations?  How does affinity influence social structures and interactions across identities?
  
• What motivates people to stay engaged and committed to the field over time?   
  
• What are bright spot practices for effective networking and mentoring? 
  
• What approaches connect and build meaningful, sustainable networks? 
  
• How and why will growing and maintaining a robust lineage of intergenerational groups support aspiring physicians, researchers, and health professionals?