Mentorship is a key component of our academic mission and the Department of Radiation Oncology is committed to fostering a culture of mentoring.

• The Radiation Oncology Mentorship Program is designed to cultivate a culture of mentorship, professional growth, and knowledge exchange within our department. This program aims to pair experienced mentors with newer hires or junior staff members to foster career development, provide guidance, and expand their professional skill sets.

• Facilitate Professional Development: Provide mentees with guidance, support, and resources to navigate their careers in radiation oncology effectively.

• Foster a Supportive Learning Environment: Encourage open communication, feedback, and collaboration between mentors and mentees.

• Promote Networking and Collaboration: Connect mentees with professionals within and outside the department to broaden their professional network and facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Mentor-Mentee Matching:

• Mentors and mentees will be matched based on the mentees' career goals, interests, and areas of expertise sought.
• Matching will consider both professional compatibility and personal preferences to ensure productive and meaningful mentor-mentee relationships.
• A potential matching event will allow mentees to meet mentors and express their top three choices for mentorship, along with their reasons for seeking mentorship.

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• Mentorship Sessions: 

• Regular one-on-one meetings between mentors and mentees will be scheduled by the mentee at least once a quarter or monthly, with digital touchpoints in between.
• Sessions may include discussions on career goals, progress updates, challenges, opportunities for growth, and overall advice.
• Mentees are responsible for leading the discussion.
• Mentors' priority is to help mentees reflect on their overall thoughts and career direction. 

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• Educational Activities

• Mentor/Mentee Meet and Greet: An opportunity for mentees to meet the mentors for the season and engage in speed networking.
• Mentorship Kickoff: A formal opening meeting with matched mentors and mentees, including an educational session on best coaching practices. 
• Mentor Education Meeting: Mentors will meet once or twice during the season to discuss their progress and seek assistance. 
• Closing Celebration: A chance to reflect on the mentorship experience, formalize the transition of mentors and mentees, and open the application process for new participants.

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• Evaluation and Feedback: 

• Initial Mentee Survey: Collect the top three potential mentors from mentees, along with their interests, challenges, strengths, and overall thoughts. 
• Mentee Satisfaction Survey: An anonymous survey to assess how mentees are experiencing the program
• Overall mentorship Experience Survey: A feedback survey on the mentorship process as a whole. 

• Crystal Bardelmeier, Associate Director, Research Operations

• Tony Giuliano, Education Program Manager

• Michelle Aboytes, Associate Director, Division of Therapy

• Niki DeGeorge, Associate Director, Division of Physics

• Melissa Cody, Clinical Research Manager

• Frank Chavez, Research Program Manager

• Samantha Wong, Clinical Research Manager

• Vicki Tran, Executive Admin and Department Operations Lead