Resident Mentorship Program

UTDRO is developing and implementing a radiation oncology resident mentorship program. The goals of the program are:

• To support and guide our residents as they progress throughout training
• To enhance their professional and personal development
• To build radiation oncology leaders of tomorrow

Although similar, a mentor is different than a coach, who is someone that offers guidance and feedback towards a specific task, typically for a short-term period; and a supervisor, who is someone in an evaluator role

Program Description

All radiation oncology residents will be asked to identify a mentor within UTDRO. Residents can self-select their mentor, or receive assistance from the Residency Program Director and/or Wellness Committee chairs. Being a mentor is voluntary; however, consideration to participate is encouraged as the benefits of mentorship are widely known. A list of UTDRO faculty is available on the UTDRO website and we are in the process of updating faculty biographies. These biographies will useful for residents in helping selecting a mentor that aligns with their professional interests.

Once a mentorship relationship is established, the mentee will contact their mentor for an initial meeting. At this meeting a Mentorship Agreement will be signed. Additionally, goals and expectations of the relationship will be discussed. The mentee is also asked to provide a recent CV to their mentor.

Please note that discussions between mentees and mentors are confidential. The mentee is responsible for providing formal documentation (Agreement, documentation of meeting dates) to the Residency Program Coordinator.

The mentor should be someone other than the Residency Program Director.

Mentorship relationships may be short or long-term, depending on the shifting career paths of both mentor and mentee. Residents may also choose to have multiple mentors depending on their needs and interests.

Once a mentorship relationship is established, there are specific roles and responsibilities for both the mentee and mentor.

Roles and Responsibilities

Mentees

• Send your mentor an updated copy of your CV
• Meet with the mentor at least 2 times per year
• Lead the relationship by scheduling meetings with your mentor
• Create an agenda prior to mentorship meetings
• Review the Resident Development Action Plan during mentorship meetings
• Display active listening, self-reflection when receiving feedback

Mentors

• Meet with your mentee at least twice times per year
• Discuss availability for issues that may arise in between formal meetings (ground rules)
• Review your mentee’s CV
• During meetings, review your mentee’s Resident Development Action Plan
• Advise with feedback
• Encourage your mentee and facilitate opportunities via networking
• Invite feedback on the mentorship from the mentee

Resident Development Action Plan

The Resident Development Action Plan provides a planning template that identifies the resident’s professional and personal goals and objectives as well as timelines and strategies for achieving them. Furthermore, it facilitates communication between the mentee and mentor.

Steps for Mentees

1. Conduct a self-assessment reflecting upon your knowledge, skills and interests, identifying your strengths and areas for improvement.
2. Discuss your goals with your mentor, displaying self-reflection and active listening.
3. Create a development action plan, revise as necessary,
4. Implement the development action plan, revise as necessary.

Steps for Mentors

1. Become familiar with your mentee, get a sense of their needs and interests and review their CV.
2. Discuss goals and opportunities with your mentee.
3. Review the development action plan, offer constructive feedback.
4. Establish regular review of the mentee’s progress and revise the action plan as needed.