March 8, 2002

Success in the workplace — particularly in the field of academic medicine — is a goal eminently more reachable with the guidance of a good mentor. That was the message of "The Dynamics of Mentoring and Being Mentored," a presentation by Joan Reede, MD, MPH, MS (below right), dean for Diversity and Community Partnership at Harvard Medical School (HMS), in the O’Keeffe Auditorium Feb. 27.

Co-sponsored by the MGH Office for Women’s Careers (OWC) and the MGH Multicultural Affairs Office (MAO), Reede’s address was a significant one: she is the first female African-American to be named a dean at HMS and one of the few African-American women to hold that rank at any institution across the country. Win Williams, MD, director of the MAO, introduced Reede. "I can think of no better commemoration of Black History Month, of the Multicultural Affairs Office and of the Office for Women’s Careers, than to listen to Dr. Reede speak today," he said. Peter Slavin, MD, chairman and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, and Nancy Tarbell, MD, director of the OWC, also gave remarks prior to Reede’s address.

"In this rapidly changing academic environment, many formerly steadfast rules for advancement no longer work," Reede said. "There have been major demographic changes as well, but our nation’s medical school faculties do not reflect those changes." She noted a sobering trend: the number of minority and women physicians in academic positions declines as the stature of the positions increases. Among the advancement barriers such physicians face, Reede said, are a lack of awareness of career opportunities, a lack of educational and institutional resources and a lack of significant relationship support.

"At this point, academic medical institutions must understand that we need the best and the brightest, and we also need input from everyone," Reede said. "We should acknowledge the art of mentorship in achieving these goals. The primary role of a good mentor is to be proactive, persistent and positive, and above all, to serve. As Louis Pasteur, the famous French scientist, remarked, 'Chance favors the prepared mind.'"

Reede delineated what she described as the "five career W’s" to be explored by mentor and mentee: "what," "when," "where," "who" and "why." She emphasized the distinction between positive and negative mentoring and the stages of forming a vital relationship: "Mentoring is a process that occurs over time and is built first and foremost upon trust and respect."Slavin also stressed the importance of mentoring in medicine, both in a general sense and at the MGH. "Mentoring is an incredibly important issue," he said. "We need to make sure that there are plentiful opportunities for people young and old to shape their futures."