Mentoring

Residents are mentored by peers and faculty. They also have the opportunity to "return the favor" by mentoring juniors, as they move up. The program faculty maintain contact with past graduates, who can be helpful during employment and national activities.

Resident Mentorship

Goal

To provide residents with a peer resource for navigating residency. The mentoring relationship provides support for educational, clinical and research activities and fosters a sense of community and camaraderie.

Framework

Each class will be mentored by the class above them. The R5 class will be mentored by faculty, and will also have access to past graduates. This class has specific needs including transitioning to an academic or community practice and advice and interaction with past graduates would be helpful. Each class, will in turn, mentor the class junior to them. The R1 class will be available to mentor local medical students applying to IR.

Each July the PD/designee will assign mentor/mentees. It is anticipated that the assignment will rotate so that trainees benefit from diverse strengths and talents within the pool.

Suggested Goal Posts

• Meet with mentor/mentee at the beginning of each academic year and pick 3 things to focus on that year. Establish a plan for each goal with action items through-out the year. The number of times and the setting for "check-ups" can be decided at this time. A second meeting should occur halfway through the academic year, where progress can be evaluated and modifications to future plans made if necessary. The last meeting should happen towards the end of the academic year, to evaluate the success of the mentee in achieving the set goals and as a reflective exercise.
• Focus of the goals can/should be broad-e.g. successful SIR presentation, mastering head and neck MR, learning effective meditation.
• Feedback to be given to PD during PD meetings, to improve the process.

Faculty Mentorship

Goal

To provide residents with support and guidance for academic, research and clinical activities. Trainees also benefit from the sub specialty interest of the IR attending in the above. A rotating mentor will ensure exposure to the diverse faculty interests and expertise, both clinical and non clinical.

Framework

At the beginning of each academic year, PD/designee will assign a faculty member to each resident in the IR program. The faculty mentor will rotate each year to ensure diverse experience over the 5 years. While the faculty mentor CAN be the "go-to" person for a trainee, it is not expected to be the sole resource for the trainees.

Suggested Goal Posts

• Meet with faculty mentor at the beginning of each academic year and pick 3 things to focus on that year. Establish a plan for each goal with action items through-out the year. The number of times and the setting for "check-ups" can be decided at this time. A second meeting should occur halfway through the academic year, where progress can be evaluated and modifications to future plans made if necessary. The last meeting should happen towards the end of the academic year, to evaluate the success of the mentee in achieving the set goals and as a reflective exercise.
• Focus of the goals can/should be broad-e.g. successful SIR presentation, mastering head and neck MR, learning effective meditation.
• Feedback to be given to PD during PD meetings, to improve the process.