Role Models and Mentors
As I was reflecting on my third year of medical school, I came across journal entries that took me back to my clinical clerkships. After all the long hours in classrooms, I was finally stepping into the hospital, trying to choose my specialty. But like many students, I wasn’t just looking for a specialty – I was searching for inspiration, for a role model to guide me.
Most medical students watch each rotation closely, hoping for a spark that will ignite their passion for a field. Just as important, they search for a physician whose qualities they admire – someone they aspire to emulate. For me, that person was Jennifer Malliet.
During my inpatient pediatric rotation, after encountering several uninspiring role models, I finally met Jennifer – a senior resident who embodied everything I wanted to become as a doctor. She was caring, compassionate, smart, and genuinely fun to be around. She recognized my potential and went beyond the typical role of a supervisor. She validated my skills, encouraged me to pursue pediatrics, and most importantly, she saw me not just as a future doctor but as a whole person with unique strengths and passions.
Jennifer became more than a mentor; she challenged me to be true to myself, both as a physician and as an individual. She invited me to join her in teaching health education at community schools and made sure I understood the social determinants of health by accompanying me on home visits to my patients. Her openness about her own career challenges and personal experiences made her a mentor in the truest sense of the word.
Although Jennifer passed away in her mid-30s from breast cancer, her impact on my life and career remains powerful. Her example taught me to be authentic in my career and to pursue not just professional success, but also personal fulfillment.
Today, we need role models and mentors in medicine more than ever. With physician burnout at record highs, the corporatization of healthcare, and increasing feelings of isolation, many young doctors feel lost before their careers have even begun. Good mentors can make all the difference in these moments.
So how can you be that mentor, the one that someone looks up to?
See the person behind the white coat.
Break the cycle of abuse by refusing to perpetuate mistreatment, belittling, or harsh criticism.
Don’t just preach work-life balance – live it.
Help young physicians discover who they are meant to be, rather than molding them into a version of yourself.
Be vulnerable. Share your challenges, triumphs, and everything in between.
Look around – right now, there is likely a medical student, resident, or younger physician who is watching you, wondering, "Is this who I want to be?" If you are too lofty, too judgmental, or too negative, their answer may be “no.”
But if you show humility, compassion, and vulnerability, if you genuinely care about those who look up to you, I guarantee their answer will be a resounding "YES."
If you or someone you know is experiencing burnout, overwhelm, or seeking direction in their career, I would love to talk about how coaching can transform your life. Just contact me at joe@joeshermanmd.com or schedule a free video consultation.
Joe Sherman, MD is a pediatrician, professional development coach, and consultant to individuals and healthcare organizations in the areas of cross-cultural medicine, leadership, and provider well-being.