Mentorship is recognized as a major determinant of successful professional growth and development but is challenged by the increase in clinical and administrative demands of the rapidly changing healthcare environment. Currently, most training programs do not provide the trainee with an exposure to the professional skills necessary for successful career advancement whether it is in academic or private practice of anesthesiology, hence the need for mentorship. The SAMBA mentorship program was developed by the Education Committee of the Society and is intended to establish a voluntary, dynamic and reciprocal relationship, between an advanced career member of SAMBA (mentor) and a younger member or a resident/ fellow member (mentee) of the society, aimed at promoting career advancement, educational and personal development by establishing professional relationships within SAMBA. Additionally rich mentoring relationships will benefit SAMBA by creating members with a genuine commitment to the organization, which will in turn ensure growth of SAMBA and cultivate future leaders in the subspecialty of ambulatory anesthesia and in SAMBA. Mentorship may also result in growth of research in ambulatory anesthesia through collaboration among the society members.
Why should you be a mentor?
Mentors and mentees often become lifelong friends and colleagues. Mentees also expand the professional network of their mentors.
Does everyone need a mentor?
Some successful individuals have reached their career goals without a mentor, but most will identify at least one person who helped them get ahead in their early professional life.
What are the characteristics of the Mentor/Mentee relationship?
Mentorship is a professional interaction based on mutual respect, trust, understanding and empathy. Mentees may have a single mentor or several mentors, to provide assistance in various aspects of personal or professional life.
How to volunteer to become a SAMBA mentor
SAMBA members can volunteer to become mentors by completing the survey form that has been generated by the Education Committee. Members can also complete the Mentor Form while registering at annual or mid-year meeting. Member information will be added to the database of mentors which appears on the SAMBA website. The SAMBA Education Committee would like to evaluate the effectiveness of the mentorship program and mentors will be requested to complete an effectiveness questionnaire to help evaluate and improve the program.
Tips for Mentors:
Mentorship is a commitment to promote the professional (and sometimes, the personal) development of the mentee.
- Make time: For a successful relationship you must be willing to make definite time commitments for your interactions with your mentee.
- Listen: In order to recognize the specific goals of your mentee and develop appropriate career plans together it is important to listen attentively to your mentee.
- Respect: Be mindful of your mentees goals and respect his/her decisions. You must also be cognizant of cultural and gender sensitivity issues.
- Confidentiality: Uphold the same degree of confidentiality that you would want if the situations were reversed.
- Communication: Give appropriate and timely feedback to the mentee on successes and failures.
- Honesty: Your honest feedback is indispensible for your mentee.
- Fulfillment: Your mentee’s success will enhance your personal satisfaction and professional standing.
Please review the mentor guidelines for the mentorship program here.
All anesthesiology residents, fellows and practicing anesthesiologists who are members of SAMBA are eligible to be SAMBA mentees. Potential mentees should contact the resident section chair-elect, Jeff Hopcian, M.D. at jhopcian@dacc.uchicago.edu and should complete the electronic survey form that has been generated by the Education Committee.
- The mentee will need to contact the potential mentor once he/she has been notified of the selection.
- An attempt will be made to assign mentors and mentees who live in the same city however this may not always be possible.
- Opportunities for mentor/mentee socialization will be provided at the SAMBA Annual meetings.
- Complete the "Roadmap for Success" worksheet and submit it to your mentor via email.
- The SAMBA Education Committee would like to evaluate the effectiveness of the mentorship program and all mentees will be requested to complete a yearly effectiveness questionnaire to help evaluate and improve the program.
Please review the mentee guidelines for the mentorship program here .
Tips for the Mentee: How to get the most out of your mentor:
Successful mentor/mentee relationships are driven by the mentee – the mentor guides the way. The following are a few requisites for establishing a winning relationship:
- Self-appraisal: First do some soul searching to identify your limitations and skills and the areas where you need assistance. It is important to have a clear understanding of both short (3 year) and long term goals and to choose a career path that suites your personal and professional goals.
- Honesty: Be open and honest with your mentor, seek feedback and be open to criticism.
- Focus: Be efficient and organized. It is not possible to do everything and do it all well. Decide what is important for your career and concentrate on those topics.
- Respect: Treat your mentor as a team member. Respect the time your mentor has devoted for interactions with you and prepare for thsee sessions Be loyal and maintain privacy and confidentiality at all times.
- Professional behavior: Some relationships will develop into friendships, but for the most part these are professional relationships.
- Creativity: Take the initiative and identify opportunities that your mentor may be able to facilitate.
- Reliability: Timely completion of tasks and assuring the highest quality of work is essential.
Interested in finding a mentor
Click here to download the current database
SAMBA hopes that the mentoring relationships that result from this initiative will result in the enhancement of the professional growth of the membership.
