Mentoring in the Academic General Pediatric Fellowship Program

Mentoring Activities

High quality mentoring is the cornerstone of our fellowship program. A primary mentor meets weekly with each fellow to review progress, set expectations, provide project-specific as well as overall career advice, and offer feedback and guidance. Each fellow has a Scholarship Oversight Committee (SOC), which consists of the mentor and 2-3 individuals selected by content area, one of whom is outside the department and generally outside the University. This SOC convenes every 6 months, or more often if needed, to assess the fellow’s performance and provide advice.

Project-specific mentors are selected according to their content expertise to guide fellows on their two research studies. In addition, all fellows receive intensive mentoring on their papers, presentations, and grant proposals. A community pediatric advisor is available to work individually with fellows on community-based projects. Dr. Neil Herendeen (director of our primary care clinic) serves as a clinical mentor and provides specific guidance and feedback regarding fellows’ clinical performance in primary care. 

Some of our unique mentoring activities involve engaging the fellow in national programs, introducing them to the “culture” of the field, and helping them make the transition to faculty level positions.