Paying it Forward: The Many Faces of Mentoring

As we reflect on the different stages of our professional development, we can often identify people who had strong influences on who we are, our approach to our work, or how we present ourselves. The mechanism for facilitating this type of learning in the health professions is often called mentoring. Mentoring systems in medicine are well established and a very important component of professionalism. Over the years, mentoring has also been part of the “hidden curriculum” in medical education.

 

Much like other areas of medicine, mentoring is evolving within the profession. Previously, mentoring occurred spontaneously between people with shared interests, but now includes an organizational role as well as dedicated time and resources. The mentoring model at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) reflects the new paradigm of mentoring within the profession. Therefore, while encouraging spontaneous mentoring relationships, the college provides more formal modes of mentoring as students mentor students, faculty members mentor students, and faculty members mentor other faculty members.

 

The framework of academical societies is the organizational structure used at NSU-COM to provide mentoring within the student body. Since their inception five years ago, the academical societies have continued to evolve. Each year, first-year students apply to become peer mentors for the incoming class members who replace them as they matriculate into their second year. Three to four students in each society commit to become peer mentors and dedicate time to transition new students into the college.

 

Peer mentors also provide lecture reviews, course notes, smiles, support, food, and fun. The class of 2014 mentors enhanced the academic support of new students with the formation of organized Sunday Study Tables for biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy. In addition, peer tutors were on hand to answer questions, monitor study groups, or just provide a quiet structure for daily study. The peer mentors also recruit and serve as tutors for the first-year class and provide a critical component to our course evaluation process.

 

Each academical society has an identified academic leader, in addition to other faculty members who provide academic guidance to students within their society. Academic leaders receive training in areas such as learning styles and academic resources available through the college, the Health Professions Division, and the university. They learn techniques to assist with study skills and time management and help students cope with the stress of being medical students.

 

Academic leaders dedicate time each semester to reach out to students that may be experiencing challenges and offer guidance to them. Since the inception of this venue, students have shared their appreciation for the confidential hand of guidance from faculty members, who enjoy connecting with students early and watching them blossom into confident medical students.

 

Perhaps the ideal type of a mentoring program is one which happens by chance. However, we cannot always count on stumbling into one of those relationships. Therefore, while encouraging spontaneous mentoring relationships, the college provides more formal modes of faculty mentoring. Each new faculty member is assigned a department mentor by the department’s chair, but also has the opportunity to be matched with a college mentor, whose intention is to help new faculty members adjust to their new environment.

 

The college’s mentor program, which began in 2010, has become a bridge between the senior and junior faculty. Three times each year, mentors and mentees fellowship together as they learn about the history of the college, academic medicine, the peer review process, governance and structure of osteopathic medicine, and networking skills.

 

From the traditional model of mentoring, NSU-COM continues to evolve as we meet the needs of students, alumni, faculty members, and the community. The academical society structure has become a home for expanding mentoring and connections among students. With input and guidance from everyone involved, we will continue to evolve and serve for many generations to come as we value the past and build the future.