UCSF to Celebrate National Mentoring Month

The UCSF Faculty Mentoring Program is recognizing National Mentoring Month and the importance of mentoring for UCSF faculty by spearheading a number of activities. "I consider mentoring colleagues to be an honor and a privilege," said Barbara Gerbert, PhD, professor in the School of Dentistry Division of Behavioral Sciences, Professionalism and Ethics, and director of the Center for Health Improvement and Prevention Studies. "Whatever time is devoted to guiding others comes back to me a hundredfold!" Gerbert is among those speaking at the "Mentoring and Diversity" workshop on Jan. 28. The workshop demonstrates UCSF's commitment to increasing diversity among faculty. Its impact results in mutual benefit for the mentors and the mentees. "I relish the opportunity to explore the richness that UCSF's diverse faculty offers for my own growth and well-being," said Gerbert. "Offering these events demonstrates the importance UCSF places on guiding, nurturing, and caring for others in their professional and personal lives, gives us all a sense of community and adds meaning to our work. The value of mentoring has been acknowledged by its inclusion in the criteria for merits and promotions, as depicted on our CVs." Mentoring Month Events: • Friday, Jan. 25: "One-Minute Mentor," noon to 1 p.m., room to be determined, Parnassus campus. Lunch will be served. In this seminar, you will enhance your mentoring relationships by learning the five steps in the One-Minute Mentor guide. Please come prepared to discuss your own mentoring best practices. Presenters include Mitchell D. Feldman, MD, director, Faculty Mentoring Program. • Monday, Jan. 28: "Mentoring and Diversity," 3 to 5 p.m., Millberry Union Conference Center, 500 Parnassus Ave. Refreshments will be served. In this workshop, participants will learn how to improve the climate and quality of mentoring for underrepresented minority faculty. Participants will be led through a reflective exercise and will discuss illustrative cases. Presenters include Michael Adams, director, Office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Diversity; Patricia Arean, PhD, associate professor, Department of Psychiatry; Mitchell D. Feldman, MD, director, Faculty Mentoring Program; Barbara Gerbert, PhD, professor, Division of Behavioral Sciences, Professionalism and Ethics; and Renee Navarro, MD, PharmD, director of academic diversity, Office of Academic Affairs. The UCSF Faculty Mentoring Program is interested in showcasing the impact that UCSF faculty mentors have had on the lives of UCSF faculty. Send a paragraph highlighting how your mentor or mentee has made a difference in your life to Heather Nichols, 415/476-2015.