Mentoring magic
This weekend, many in the United States will celebrate Mother’s Day. For those lucky enough to spend time or talk with their moms, I hope it’s a lovely day. And for those who will be missing their moms (as I will be), I hope you connect with family or friends and find comfort in the memories. For many of us, our moms (and dads!) are among our very first mentors. They teach us how to read and understand the world, guide us through our first meals, and provide safe harbor when we return from our first steps. Similarly, though not identically, the relationships we get to build with mentors can be among the most fulfilling parts of our careers. They celebrate with us after a promotion or after we match in residency, write our letters of recommendation, show us shortcuts in the lab, or stay late to make sure we have the hang of a particular procedure. Chances are very good that each of us has a few key figures who have helped us in our career journeys. Even more fulfilling is that then later, as we grow into our own careers, we can pay that same generosity forward to our own mentees.
Upi’s “Oh, WOW” moment
My two greatest mentors have been my parents. Here is a photo of them when they were newly married. During their 61 years of marriage they immigrated to two continents, raised two children, and evolved as people, spouses and parents. I think of mentoring as a similar journey—ideally we keep learning and advancing. Our mentoring style and approach also evolves and refines. We are often mentored by those we interact with on a daily basis. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned are from informal mentors, colleagues, and students. I think it’s about keeping an open mind, being curious, and being willing to learn from all interactions, both good and bad. My latest migration—to Iowa—has been a learning and growth journey—and I count on many of you as my new group of Iowa mentors!
Photo for reflection 
The mentor-mentee relationship is not always a leader-follower one like these two rhinos pictured here in a national park in Kenya. But that dynamic is useful, especially when they enter an area unfamiliar to the more junior in the pair. Maybe this is the younger rhino’s first time crossing a graded road, which feels strange underfoot after the spongy, grassy soil. It takes the adult rhino to show where and how to step until they are back on familiar ground. The next time that younger rhino will not be as hesitant because they’ve conquered it once with some guidance.
Expert guidance is certainly one of the common themes mentioned by the six department members I asked to offer their thoughts on mentoring. Drs. Diana Jalal, Alan Gunderson, and Krista Johnson shared their perspectives on serving as faculty mentors, and Drs. Ben Griffin, Alex Garza, and Carly Kuehn offered some thoughts on how those faculty members have helped guide them.
Dr. Gunderson succinctly defined the space that good mentoring fills when more formal systems understandably miss some things a trainee or a junior faculty may still need. “I think effective mentorship bridges gaps in experience, knowledge, and community networks.” As a result, he says, “greater growth is achieved.” One of the fellows in his GI division, Dr. Garza, testifies to the effectiveness. “Faculty often provide guidance and expertise on topics beyond clinic duties, including career advice.” His experience in the program, Dr. Garza says, has helped him set and achieve a goal of further training in advanced endoscopy. We love to see it!
It’s not always career advice, but sometimes just exposure to new ideas or individuals that makes a good mentor. Dr. Jalal said, “I believe that exposure to clinical researchers and the important work they do is key. I find that learners connect with clinical research topics and often are inspired to ask questions of their own.” She described a recent example with Dr. Griffin, an assistant professor in Nephrology, whom she connected to a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh after Dr. Griffin noticed something in clinic. Dr. Jalal helped stoke that curiosity into a full-blown research project that has now resulted in a 5-year career development award for Dr. Griffin. “A crucial component of research,” Dr. Griffin said, “is building personal relationships. I hope I can apply the same commitment to developing whole researchers, rather than simply completing projects with my future mentees.”
The last pairing, Drs. Johnson and Kuehn, are an especially inspiring duo. Dr. Kuehn was a Chief Resident here, focused on quality and safety, and Dr. Johnson has mentored beyond just serving as Dr. Kuehn’s associate program director. The two have stayed connected—giving each other “support, advice, and feedback,” as Dr. Johnson put it. That relationship begun in residency has continued to today, as Dr. Kuehn has risen through the ranks from clinical assistant professor to clinical associate professor and as a member of the residency program leadership. Dr. Kuehn said that she has been grateful for Dr. Johnson’s friendship as much as her mentoring and that now “I strive to give my mentees the kind strength Krista has shown me during our mentorship process.” Dr. Johnson said she has gotten just as much back. “I appreciate her and have learned more from her than she knows.”
As you interact with colleagues, trainees, and friends, keep the mentoring mindset on high alert. Watch, observe, learn, teach. And when you’ve had a great mentoring interaction, a quick “thank you” or note is a great way of paying it forward and validating the impact of the mentoring relationship in your life and career.