5 minute read
MENTORSHIP SPOTLIGHT
from PWH Fall 20
Mentors and Mentees Share a Special Connection
In this issue, we spotlight mentee Delana Roperto and her mentor Pam Wedow. Pam has helped Delana realize her value and gain confidence, while Delana helps Pam enhance her industry knowledge with greater insight into the workings of GPOs. But what makes their connection extra special is a shared passion for dancing! Read below to learn what brought them together and what keeps them grooving.
Mentee’s Perspective
Delana Roperto, Senior Product Advisor, Pharmacy Analytics, Vizient
As a Senior Product Advisor at Vizient, I currently oversee contracting challenges and help to implement cost saving solutions involving the use of fee-forservice pharmacy tools. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have gained particular insight by working in a hospital setting and by managing national contracts for physician preferred medical devices.
Pam Wedow
I sought a mentor because I was struggling to maintain confidence in myself in my current position. I had recently rejoined my team and doubted my performance in comparison to my peers. As a woman, I felt a particular challenge to elevate my career any further. I had become stagnant and often felt like I was holding back and not meeting my full potential. I kept asking, “How can I elevate myself within my career? How can I enhance my presentation skills and ensure my message is meaningful?” I wanted guidance and assistance on how to excel as not only an employee, but as a woman as well. My short-term goal was to receive insights on how to communicate better when speaking to members.
What have you learned from you mentor?
Having Pam as a mentor has shown me that I CAN achieve my goals. The sky is the limit, and I should never underestimate my abilities. Having someone who I can confide in (and who will provide unbiased feedback) both professionally and
personally has been instrumental for my success as a product advisor.
The fact that I can freely communicate with Pam regarding the challenges I have faced has worked well for me. It is refreshing to have someone who is in my corner, and who motivates me to keep reaching and not let anything stand in the way of achieving my goals.
What is your take on the value of mentorship?
I am so thankful for the PWH® mentoring program. Even though the pandemic has brought about so much disruption, I am thankful for the time that I have spent with my mentor. Pam is such an inspiration, and I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity!
Mentor’s Perspective
Pam Wedow, General Manager, PuraGraft
I have 30 plus years in medical supply distribution in all industry segments and all positions within those organizations from VP of Operations to VP of Sales and Marketing. Currently, I serve as General Manager for a specialty distributor, PuraGraft, that sells IV sedation meds and surgical supplies, including our private label Biologics, to oral surgeons in every state. I love my job! I feel like I’m getting to utilize all that this great industry has taught me while learning something new every day.
As a founder and Past Chair of PWH® , I feel the mentoring program is the best way for me to give back to this amazing organization as well as stay connected.
What have you learned from your Mentee?
This is actually my 5th pairing in the PWH® mentoring program—you know who you are! With every partnership, I’ve felt I have gained more than I’ve given. All of my mentees have been amazing women with that same desire to succeed in our industry. With Delana, though, our connection is extraordinary because we both have a passion for Salsa dancing. I Zumba, and she competitively dances. We immediately trusted who the other person was. And, she works for Vizient. Insight into the interworkings of a GPO is definitely something I’m interested in learning more about.
I feel like it is the responsibility of the mentee to set the parameters and the pace of the partnership. Thank you Delana for your kind words. If my mentee calls us a success, we are.
What is your take on the value of mentorship?
As my good friend, Janis Dezso, always says, to be very successful, you need your own personal Board of Directors: a close friend, family confidant, a trusted coworker as a sponsor and someone of like mind that is in your industry but outside of your company. The PWH® Mentoring Program is how you fill out the seats of your own board room.
About the PWH® Mentor Program
How can PWH® members get involved in the PWH® Mentoring Program?
Visit the mentoring page on the PWH® website (mypwh.org/mentoring). At the bottom of the page, there is a link to click to join the program. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire (which should take five minutes or less) and from there you will be contacted by the PWH® Mentoring Committee. We will speak with you and get to know you better before connecting you with a mentor. We make the introduction for you and your match, and provide some tips and recommendations to get started. You can also contact the Chair of the PWH Mentoring Committee, Eryn Marx, at emarx@kbkcommunications.com.
How does the PWH® Mentoring Program work?
In addition to coordinating the match, the PWH® Mentoring Program provides tips and recommendations to help nurture the mentoring relationship. Communication is so important! Set expectations. Determine how often you can both commit to speaking. Let each other know your preferred format for communicating (email, phone calls, texts, in person meetings). Make clear what you want to accomplish from the relationship. This program gives you the ability to connect with people in our industry whom you might not otherwise be able to meet. Take advantage of this PWH® member benefit. We guarantee, you won’t regret it!
