Mentorship: An essential key to growth and success

Once mentorship bonds have been established, it is critical to cultivate these relationships and to gain the most possible from these interactions. When asked how he has achieved these ends, Dr. Shelstad replies, "You and your mentors have the same goal: mutual success. Work hard for your mentors, and they will work hard for you. I would encourage explicit discussion of goals and expectations to ensure you and a potential mentor are on the same page. Mentorship is essential to success in cardiothoracic surgery."

Without a doubt, participation in mentorship relationships is a key element of success at every stage of the career and development of a cardiothoracic surgeon. Outstanding programs already exist to support modern trainees, and further efforts will certainly be met with great enthusiasm. Also apparent is the need for ongoing, career-long mentorship – and the paucity of formal programs to support it. This need may be a great opportunity for the establishment of future programming.

On a personal note, when reflecting on mentorship, I think of a statement made by Benjamin Franklin: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." To those incredible individuals who have taken the time, effort, and interest to truly involve me, I have immense gratitude. I will aim for the rest of my career to make it worth your while, with hopes to bring you pride and inspire others as you have inspired me. To all who have taken time to truly involve any student, resident, or junior colleague – you have motivated us and given strength to the ongoing legacy of our amazing field.

Citations

1. Grondin SC. Building a Successful Career: Advice From Leaders in Thoracic Surgery. Thorac. Surg. Clin. 2011;21(3):395-415.

2. J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 2014;147(1):15-17.