Mentorship in medicine is one of the most valuable relationships a doctor or surgeon can have. These relationships don’t just impact careers – they shape lives, improve patient outcomes and drive innovation. Mentorship truly is the cornerstone of progress in healthcare.
When knowledge, skills and the wisdom that comes with experience are shared, wonderful things happen. At Transonic, we believe strongly in the power of mentorship and the importance of celebrating those who dedicate themselves to guiding the next generation of medical professionals.
Do you have a mentor who has supported and uplifted you throughout your professional journey? Let us know by nominating them for Transonic’s Mentorship Award and help us honor the individuals who shape our field.
Are you looking to mentor someone or need a mentor yourself? Read on for a list of organizations and programs that help connect proteges with mentors – at any stage of your career.
Why Mentorship Matters
Mentorship is more than teaching technical skills. It’s about developing a mindset of precision, empathy and lifelong learning. The best mentors don’t just share what they know – they inspire curiosity and a commitment to excellence in their proteges. The impact of this reverberates for decades-long careers, benefiting countless patients along the way.
At Transonic, we know firsthand how important mentorship relationships are. Our mentors have helped shape us as individuals and as a company. Their insights guide the way we design and improve our products, and their passion for improving patient care inspires us to do the same.
Mentors inspire and support us all to do better every day.
How To Find a Medical Mentor or Protege
Sometimes, a mentor-protege relationship develops serendipitously – a mix of luck and opportunity brings two people together at the right time. Other times, it’s the result of purposeful planning and networking.
Usually, though, it’s a mixture of both good fortune and good planning.
If you’re looking for a mentor or protege, here are just a few examples of medical mentorship programs that can help connect you.
If none of these examples is the right fit for you, consider reaching out to an association or professional network specific to your field of interest or expertise. Many medical organizations offer local or specialty-specific mentorship programs.
American College of Surgeons Young Fellows Association Mentor Programs
The American College of Surgeons Young Fellows Association has created a mentoring program to address the needs of up-and-coming surgeons by pairing them with a mentorship triad: an early career surgeon, a mid-level career surgeon and an advanced surgeon.
Society for Vascular Surgery Mentor Match Program
The Society for Vascular Surgery launched an annual Mentor Match Program in 2019 to help pair early-career medical professionals who are interested in learning more about a career in vascular surgery with practicing vascular surgeons. Mentors provide guidance on practice settings, research activities and opportunities, leadership development, work-life balance and more.
Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Society Mentorship Program
The Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Society Mentorship Program is a one-year program that pairs early-career vascular surgeons with more experienced colleagues. The mentor-protege pair speak at least once a month to discuss goals, objectives and progress either virtually or in person.
Society of Thoracic Surgeons Mentorship Program
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Mentorship Program connects up-and-coming cardiothoracic surgeons with more senior surgeons to facilitate networking and personal and professional growth. Early career surgeons can also choose to serve as mentors themselves for medical students and general surgery residents interested in cardiothoracic specialties.
PrIMES Mentoring for Medical School Admission
The PrIMES mentoring program identifies students from racial and ethnic demographics underrepresented in medicine (URiM) and pairs them with young physicians and others who can help mentor them through the process of becoming a medical doctor – including applying to medical school.
American Medical Women's Association Mentorship Program
The AMWA Mentorship program connects female-identifying medical students to women physicians and surgeons at all levels of their careers.
Women in Neurosurgery Mentorship Program
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons offers the Women in Neurosurgery Mentorship program for early faculty, residents and medical students interested in neurosurgery. Applications open in late spring every year.
American Academy of Neurology Director Mentorship
The Director Mentorship Leadership Program is a one-year mentorship program for new clerkship directors, program or residency directors, fellowship directors, and associate directors hosted by the American Academy of Neurology. The goal is for proteges to gain practical advice and guidance from seasoned directors.
Building a Stronger Future in Medicine
Whether you are early in your career or a seasoned expert, mentorship is powerful. And by celebrating and supporting these invaluable connections, we’re all building a stronger and more innovative future for healthcare.
Do you have a mentor who has profoundly impacted your career in surgery? Help us celebrate their dedication, support and wisdom. Nominate them today, and let’s honor the individuals who shape the future of healthcare.
