Medicine Is a Team Sport—But Someone Has to Lead

Mentorship isn’t a luxury in medicine—it’s a necessity. And it’s more than just helping someone learn how to interpret a chest X-ray or calculate a drug dose. It’s about shaping how they think, how they care, and who they become as physicians.

More Than a White Coat: What Mentorship Really Means

Mentorship in medicine isn’t about hierarchy or superiority. It’s about relationship. A mentor isn’t someone who has all the answers—they’re someone who takes the time to ask the right questions. They listen. They guide. And most importantly, they model what it looks like to be a good doctor and a good person.

When I think about the mentors who shaped me, I don’t just remember their clinical brilliance. I remember how they carried themselves in hard moments. I remember their patience, their curiosity, their willingness to admit when they didn’t know something. That’s what mentorship is—it’s showing up for someone consistently, not perfectly.

Teaching Creates Better Doctors—and Better Outcomes

There’s a direct connection between strong mentorship and better healthcare outcomes. A well-mentored resident becomes a more confident, thoughtful physician. A confident physician is more likely to make sound clinical decisions, communicate clearly with patients, and work effectively with their team. The ripple effect is real.

I’ve worked in several hospital systems—Frankford Hospital, Main Line Health, and now Penn Medicine—and I’ve seen how the culture of mentorship can change the entire dynamic of a department. When senior doctors are approachable and engaged, the entire team functions better. Mistakes are caught sooner. Morale improves. Learning flourishes.

Good mentorship also improves patient care in more subtle ways. A student who feels supported is more likely to speak up if they notice a concern. A resident who’s encouraged to reflect will catch a nuance others might miss. These small wins add up—and they start with how we treat each other as colleagues.

Mentorship Protects Against Burnout

Burnout is everywhere in medicine. Long hours, emotional stress, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility wear on even the strongest clinicians. But mentorship can be a lifeline.

When trainees feel like someone sees them—not just as a worker, but as a person—they’re more likely to stay engaged. When an attending makes time to check in, to listen without judgment, it can make all the difference. I’ve had residents tell me that a single encouraging conversation changed the course of their entire training.

Mentorship doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s just asking, “How are you holding up?” and actually listening to the answer. That human connection is protective—and healing.

Modeling the Intangibles

One of the hardest things to teach in medicine is how to be. Not what to prescribe or which lab to order, but how to be present with a dying patient. How to break bad news. How to advocate for someone who’s scared and vulnerable. These moments can’t be found in textbooks. They have to be observed—and then practiced.

This is where mentorship becomes irreplaceable. When a student watches how you comfort a family, or how you remain calm in a chaotic code, they’re learning far more than clinical technique. They’re learning empathy. Resilience. Integrity.

These “intangibles” may not be graded, but they define what kind of doctor someone becomes. And it’s our responsibility to model them.

How to Be a Better Mentor—Even When You’re Busy

I get it—medicine is busy. Between documentation, rounds, procedures, and consults, it can feel like there’s no time to take on yet another role. But mentorship doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. It can be woven into what you’re already doing:

• Narrate your thought process. Instead of just saying what to do, explain why. This turns everyday decisions into teachable moments.
  
• Invite questions. Create a culture where curiosity is welcomed, not punished.
  
• Give real feedback. Not just praise, and not just criticism—honest, constructive feedback that helps someone grow.
  
• Share your own struggles. Let your students know that doubt, fear, and failure are part of the process. It makes them feel less alone.
  

These small acts can have a big impact—and they’re often what students remember years later.

Teaching Is a Form of Healing

We don’t often talk about the emotional rewards of teaching, but they’re real. When I mentor a student and watch them grow into a capable, compassionate doctor, it reminds me why I entered this field. It keeps me inspired. It makes the long days feel purposeful.

In many ways, teaching is its own form of healing. Not just for the student, but for the teacher too. In helping someone else find their footing, we reconnect with our own.

So, to my fellow physicians: You are already a mentor, whether you realize it or not. Someone is watching how you work, how you speak, and how you lead. Embrace that role. Own it. Because mentorship isn’t extra—it’s essential. And when we teach well, we don’t just improve our students. We improve healthcare—for everyone.