Just how precious of a gift is the mentoring process for the mentor?

It’s PRICELESS .

It's also:
Powerful
Healing
Change-making

In short, #mentoring is THE BEST.

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#MedTwitter #MedStudentTwitter #MedEd

We hear about how mentoring is a bidirectional process.
This is not hyperbole. It’s very much been my experience.

#Mentoring students gives as much, if not more, to the mentor, as it gives the mentee.

The students I get to mentor inject me with life.

#medicalstudents

In a system that often can make you question your worth, contribution, ability, and unique talents, being able to have powerful and meaningful conversations with learners is such a precious gift.

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These conversations allow us as mentors to process our own journeys.

Every conversation affords me the opportunity to revisit and learn something about my past and reflect upon how that past and some of the pain I experienced has affected me and still affects me today.

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I also remember how I’ve been able to learn and grow over the years, and I come to appreciate this in a new light.

In short, I get to celebrate my wins, and how awesome is that?!

Bet you didn't realize that, but it's the awesome truth .

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These conversations allow us to use those experiences and imprint they left on us and put that pain, the lessons learned, and the knowledge gained to powerful use that can positively affect the trajectory of those we hope we will call future colleagues.

#thegiftofmentoring

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These are the reasons why I also call “failure” a gift.

Those walls, barriers and stumbles we went through and overcame end up turning into windows, doors and step ups for others, and in the process, allow us to refuel ourselves so we can keep doing the necessary work.

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To be able to witness your students exhibit courage, pursue their goals, overcome challenges, and reach heights they didn’t think were possible is what it’s all about!

So to all the students I have the privilege of interacting with and mentoring, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU .
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Thank you for giving me clarity of purpose, especially during a time when there is no lack of chaos and uncertainty, when assault on wellbeing is at an all-time high, and where the inputs seem to be coming at pace that greatly outnumbers the outputs.
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Thank you for your bravery and courage at sharing your stories and vulnerabilities and putting your trust and faith into those whom you’ve never met in person.

Thank you for intertwining our dreams and goals and working towards making this world a healthier and better place.

Thank you for giving us the gift of being mentors and allowing us into your lives and to be a part of your journeys.

What we as mentors gain from our relationship with you is invaluable and though you may not realize it, you are shaping our futures and careers in powerful ways.

Thank you for sticking with it, no matter how uncertain these times may look, because you are the future of medicine and healthcare in this country.

And we all know how much is broken. Or was built faulty in the first place.

#inequity

To all the students questioning how their career will be affected with this pandemic, and to those who have wondered if there is place and space for them in this world full of inequity:

Stay strong and resolute in your goals.

You are here for a reason.
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In a world full of comparison, where imposter syndrome roams free and constantly encroaches on our mental health, know that each of you has unique strengths, talents, skills that will save lives and better your communities.

We need you.

Let me say it again.

We. Need. You.

We NEED those diversity of traits and skills, and if someone tells you or makes you feel less than because of what makes you YOU, reach out to the people who will remind you of this: what makes you YOU is exactly what medicine needs.
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You are the gift.

Yes. YOU.

I know it may not seem like it, so that’s why I want to make sure you hear it.

You. Are. The. Gift.
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The mentors, those whom you look up to and seek advice from, we will always do our best to honor this gift and pull you up so that you can join us as colleagues one day. And when that day comes, you can pay it forward.
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This is how we change the culture of medicine. One student, one mentor, one relationship, one gift at a time.

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#MedTwitter #mentorship #healthcare

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