A Hub for Exceptional MENTORSHIP

A great mentor can pave the way for generations to come. They are vital, and come in many forms. They can be your supervisor, your colleague, your friend.

In my case, one of the most significant mentors of my career is all three.

I would not be where I am today without the mentorship of Charles Griffith, MD, MSPH, acting dean of the UK College of Medicine. The first time our paths crossed, Dr. Griffith was an internal medicine/pediatrics resident.

We began to work closely together as faculty when we were both thirdyear clerkship directors in the late 1990s. At that time, I remember calling Dr. Griffith about how to deal with some challenging situations. He always provided excellent advice.

For two years, Dr. Griffith and I served as the student affairs deans, and I am grateful for the time we spent together supporting students in every aspect of their education and specialty selection. When I returned to Bowling Green, Ky., six years ago to start our regional campus, I reported directly to Dr. Griffith in his role as vice dean.

As you can see, our paths have crossed in many ways for over 30 years now. Throughout that time, Dr. Griffith has continued to be an invaluable mentor to me. He is a good listener who does not jump to conclusions.

I have watched him manage challenging situations where all individuals felt heard and respected regardless of the outcome. He has encouraged me to think creatively about solutions to problems, even when that meant trying something that has never been done before.

The thing I admire most about him is his respect for everyone: patients, students, residents, faculty, and staff. On a more personal level, Dr. Griffith has a great sense of humor which has helped make difficult days a bit easier. I am thankful for his ongoing mentorship.

The UK College of Medicine houses many incredible individuals who are paving the way for the next generation. I feel particularly blessed to have had so many amazing mentors during my in the college. There are far too many to personally thank here, but I would also like to thank Lon Hays, MD, and C. Darrell Jennings, MD, for their mentorship over the years.

In this magazine, you’ll hear from graduate students about how much of a game changer mentorship is within a research lab. You’ll read how exceptional mentors within the MD/PhD program are creating opportunities for physician-scientists, and how current mentees are raising the bar for what can be accomplished with the program. You will learn how experienced faculty in the Alliance Research Initiative are guiding early-career researchers to obtain major grants.

You will also see that I’m far from the only person impacted by Dr. Griffith’s exceptional mentorship in his 30-plus years at the UK College of Medicine. (See page 14.)

Thank you for reading,