For Mentors

Nurture and guide the next generation of Stanford School of Medicine leaders by becoming a mentor.

"I believe in the power of mentorship. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my mentors. My participation in this program is my way of giving back and lifting as I climb. It brings me great joy to meet with and help my colleagues along their career trajectories. Nothing makes me happier than helping others to reach or exceed their potential. I have learned just as much from my mentees as I may have imparted to them, it's a mutually beneficial relationship, many of which have lasted beyond the end of the program."

Mijiza M. Sanchez-Guzman, MPA, Ed.D.
Associate Dean, Office of Medical Student Affairs

"Through the SoM Mentorship Program, I developed a deep appreciation of the school’s culture of focusing on career development and expressing empathy. As a mentee, my mentor provided me great insights into her DFA role. She also “opened her department door” for me to speak to many division managers and functional leaders to gain valuable departmental and operational perspectives. As a mentor, I was energized by mentees’ inquisitive minds and questions. Overall, I feel even more connected with the greater SoM community and fortunate to be able to help build a culture that celebrate career development and progression."

David Ho, Assistant Dean and Director of Budget and Financial Planning,
School of Medicine

"Being a mentor is the ultimate “pay it forward” experience. Many of us were lucky to have great mentors, bosses, colleagues, and others who passed along advice or acted as role models. To do the same for someone else is such a small investment of time in the short run with a huge benefit in the long run. It’s been a privilege to be involved with this program at Stanford Medicine from the beginning, and hope the mentees have received as much from the experience as I have."

Cathy Garzio, MBA, Vice Chair and Director of Finance and Administration,
Department of Medicine

"Stanford is an amazing place to work, with so many opportunities, challenges, and “variables.” To grow your career here, you have to not only be smart and motivated, but you also have to understand the nuances of how things work, and how the politics and culture of the organization are in play. One of the key challenges we have faced is feeding our pipeline of leaders, and growing many of those from within. The mentorship program is one way we identify some of these internal future leaders, and help give them extra guidance on the trickier problems or decisions they face, and how to meet their personal and professional goals. I’ve personally enjoyed having the opportunity to work with my mentees (formal and informal) over the years, and have developed some great new friendships along the way too! It’s one of the more “fun” things I get to do at Stanford."

Randy Soares, Director of Finance and Administration, Genetics and ITI

"The SOM Staff Mentorship Program was so valuable to me as a mentee because I had a wonderful mentor and cohort of talented colleagues to learn from and grow with. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the program as a mentor and committee member to support program operations, discuss synergies with other Stanford professional development offerings, and create greater impact and accessibility to SOM staff.”

Heidi Wu, Process Manager, Finance, Department of Medicine

“As a mentor, participating in the program this year has been an invaluable experience. Providing mentorship to others not only supports our employees within the School of Medicine, but also provides a path of learning and enrichment for the mentor. To me it is a true partnership, where I gain just as much out of the relationship as my mentee gets from me.”

David Strick, PhD, Director of Safety & Emergency Management, School of Medicine

"Participating in the SOM Mentorship Program is a highlight of every year. Having the opportunity to engage in meaningful bi-directional dialogue with aspiring SOM leaders is enriching, inspiring, and educational. I also find it extremely rewarding to learn from my mentees, including having the opportunity to learn about best practices employed in their home department or central business unit that I can consider adopting in the Stanford Cancer Institute."

Laura Adams, Associate Director, Administration and Strategy,
Director of Finance and Administration, Stanford Cancer Institute

"Of all the things we do in our work lives, mentoring sits at the top. It's so gratifying to try and help someone in their career and our mentoring program is a great facilitator of that!"

Stephanie Edelman, MBA, Director of Finance and Administration,
Department of Surgery and Emergency Medicine

"I’ve so appreciated serving as a mentor over the past several years with Stanford Medicine’s Staff Mentorship Program. Stanford can feel like a complicated place for staff and it really helps to provide this forum so that we can all learn and develop in our careers together. I love the opportunity the program provides to meet and engage with staff from across the School, who bring such unique perspectives. It also helps me to grow as a mentor as I learn from the experiences of so many others within our institution."

Magali Fassiotto, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Office of Faculty Development & Diversity,
School of Medicine

"This is my second time being a SoM mentor. I LOVE the program. It builds bridges between staff that otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to connect and support each other. It also highlights the amazing talent of Stanford staff with diverse backgrounds, experience and superpowers. It is a way to give back but also an amazing opportunity to grow and learn. I am a better professional and person because of this program.”

Sarah Henry, Executive Director, Global Center for Gender Equality (GCfGE)

Program Details

With a small commitment of a few hours each month, you can make a difference in a colleague's professional and career development. Being a mentor can expand your perspective and lead you to question norms that encumber more efficient and inclusive thinking. Developing a relationship with a mentee may even spur self-reflection and build on lessons learned.

Not sure how to start? Our mentoring platform will get you started with mentoring tools, resources, and networking with other mentors.

Eligibility

You can be a mentor in the SoM Mentoring Program if:

You have worked at Stanford for at least one year
You are classified at Grade Level L or above

Benefits of Mentoring

As a mentor, you can:

Increase your network of current and future Stanford Medicine leaders
Gain recognition for your skills and experience
Achieve a sense of fulfilment and personal growth
Reinforce your own knowledge of your areas of expertise
Share best practices
Increase your confidence and motivation
Enhance your CV

Mentor Responsibilities and Process

As a mentor, you should be:

Willing to share your experiences candidly and to offer advice to junior colleagues in the Stanford School of Medicine
Available for:
- brief informational interviews by prospective mentees during the matching process
- the Fall mixer meeting
- the January kick-off meeting
- 1-2 meetings per month with your matched mentee(s)
- 3 optional meetings where you can connect with other participants
- Optional yearly alumni event with featured speakers

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