The Power of Mentorship: Emory Gynecology and Obstetrics

When we recently announced on social media that our entire PGY2 and PGY3 classes passed their FLS (Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery) exam, there was much cause for celebration. The milestone was exciting for our residents as well as the mentors who have committed their time, expertise and energy to our resident class. This is the power of mentorship - often unseen and behind the scenes but very much a part of the successes we celebrate.

Overseen by 2018 Hidden Gem Award Recepient E. Britton Chahine, MD, Director of Gynecology and Obstetrics Simulation (Distinguished Award for Mentorship 2017), Emory Gynecology and Obstetrics Simulation Training Program allows residents to train in skills such as breech vaginal delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and more with faculty such as Dr. Sara Rizk mentoring the residents throughout the process.  

Sara Rizk, MD (shown above in our simulation training setting) is a primary and ever-present source of guidance for these residents in their efforts to reach milestones like passing the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery exam. These moments carry residual impact and value.

Resident Mentor Program

Emory Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics is committed to facilitating connections between faculty and residents. We believe that mentorship fosters a more robust and fulfilling residency experience.

Our mentoring program is structured to encourage connection, development and career long-lasting relationships. Our residents can select potential mentors and schedule initial meetings or opportunities for shadowing. Our faculty pursued academic medicine so that they would have a chance to work with the next generation of physicians, so there are many opportunities for mentorship in the department. Residents may choose professional mentors who represent career goals; they also work with research mentors in the course of completing the resident research project. You may select an individual mentorship relationship; as well as become involved in our group mentoring program, which includes four residents (one resident from each class) and one faculty member; these support groups remain together all years of your training program.

We firmly believe in the value of peer mentorship, and our mentoring program allows for more experienced residents to guide newer residents through the challenges and opportunities of each year. To learn more about our Resident Mentor Program here.

From Our Mentor Group Leaders

While we often celebrate the value our mentors have provided us, the reciprocal value of giving and receiving support is something we have been featuring via social media. January 31st is Thank Your Mentor Day and because we always love the opportunity to highlight the many wonderful mentors within our department here are some thoughts our faculty mentors shared with us to share with you.

Taniqua Miller, MD and Kesley Robertson, MD (PGY3)

“Four years is a short period to learn how to be a competent and compassionate OB/GYN. The details of the day to day, performing surgeries, seeing patients, completing notes, can be dizzying. The most valuable and memorable experiences as a resident getting through a particularly time- consuming and stressful time were the one-on-one chats with my attendings outside of work. They weren’t solely focused on my performance. More importantly, they were focused on my growth and happiness in the field and my life. My mentors allowed me to see the forest for the trees and not to sweat the small stuff. They set me on a path to embrace my strengths and always strive for excellence. So that is what I hope I impart to the residents I have the opportunity to mentor. 4 years isn’t much time to figure it all out, I hope that my mentorship can at least offer a start." Taniqua Miller, MD, NCMP

"I have “grown up” at Emory from medical school, Gynecology, and REI training, and now as faculty. I remain so incredibly indebted to my mentors who, along the way, taught me how to best care for and communicate with patients. I looked up to them as they cried with patients with difficult outcomes and offered tears of joy for good outcomes (babies!). Now having joined the faculty, it has been one of the greatest parts of my job to work with the residents as they go through their 4 years. I think Emory is unique in the close long-term relationships that the residents form with the faculty. The faculty serve as clinical, surgical, research, and personal mentors and are a great resource for residents as they navigate through their education and careers." Heather Hipp, MD

“Mentoring affords us the opportunity to interact outside of the clinical setting, which is valuable to both the mentors and the mentees. It’s an open forum for discussion about the joys and challenges of residency. In November, my group will carve jack-o-lanterns and in December we plan to bake cookies and decorate for the holidays." Jennifer Wrenn, MD

“I think that one of the little-known keys to our success as an extensive training program is the fact that each resident is assigned a faculty mentor who partners with them throughout residency. That extra layer of support is unique to Emory Gynecology and Obstetrics and gives both residents and faculty a sense of belonging within our work family." Andrea Joyner, MD, IBCLC

“For me - mentoring residents is one of the best parts of being at a residency training program and a big reason I transitioned from private practice to academics. Every time I get together with our mentor group, I am amazed at what a strong, smart, dedicated, humble group we have. My favorite part of our meetings is hearing about their lives, their experiences in residency, their perspectives on their career and life plans. I hope they are able to feel heard, feel the value of mentorship, and feel valuable to our field.” Eva Lathrop, MD, MPH

"The gift and receipt of mentorship are critical at any stage in one's career.  It is mutually enriching and enlightening and truly one of the greatest joys of my career in academic medicine.”  Jade Stafford, MD

"They are a joy to be around. Listening to them compare experiences and outlooks as residents help me be a better mentor.”  Stephen Weiss, MD, MPH

"The beauty of mentorship is that it develops over time. Mentees in their first year of residency will have different needs than during their chief year. I love the ability to listen to the concerns of my mentees and guide them through the various stages of residency." Cherie Hill, MD