Implementing a global mentoring program: A call to action for mentorship in surgery

Joanna Chen; Anisa Nazir; Ayla Gerk; Pedra Rabiee; Isabella Faria; Kaela Blake; Tanaz Vaghaiwalla

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.115997

Implementing a global mentoring program: A call to action for mentorship in surgery

Am J Surg. 2025 Jan:239:115997. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.115997. Epub 2024 Oct 4.

Authors

Joanna Chen¹, Anisa Nazir², Ayla Gerk³, Pedra Rabiee⁴, Isabella Faria⁵, Kaela Blake⁶, Tanaz Vaghaiwalla⁷

Affiliations

¹ University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA; The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
² The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
⁴ The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Barts Health Education Academy, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
⁵ The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
⁶ Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, USA.
⁷ The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Division of Endocrine Surgery, DeWitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. Electronic address: tmv12@med.miami.edu.

PMID: 39419640
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.115997

Abstract

Background: The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery organization launched a mentorship program to address the limited opportunities available in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to evaluate the utility of the virtual program in bridging this critical gap.

Methods: A retrospective review of program surveys containing quantitative and qualitative questions from 2022 to 2023 was performed.

Results: Of n = 193 applicants, 81.3 % (157/193) identified as women, and 69.4 % (134/193) reported no prior mentorship. Applicants were from 41 countries (35 LMICs). The most requested specialties were general surgery (27.9 %, 54/193), neurosurgery (18.1 %, 35/193), and cardiothoracic surgery (11.4 %, 22/193). 55.9 % (108/193) preferred mentors from other countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada), while 13.9 % (27/193) preferred mentors from their country. Ultimately, 48 applicants were matched with 13 mentors.

Conclusions: Demand for the program surpassed capacity, highlighting a need for mentorship opportunities for women overall, particularly in LMICs.

Keywords: Gender equity; Global surgery; Mentorship; Surgical education.

MeSH terms

Adult
Developing Countries
Female
Gender Equity
Humans
Male
Mentoring* / organization & administration
Mentors
Retrospective Studies
Specialties, Surgical / education
Specialties, Surgical / organization & administration
Surveys and Questionnaires