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Mentoring

Multiple studies have identified the benefits of mentoring programs to mentors, mentees and the organizations to which they belong. When experienced senior colleagues provide guidance and support to junior colleagues of the Faculty, it enhances morale, increases motivation and performance, improves collegiality and allows participants to find a greater sense of career direction. Mentoring programs developed by the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion provide one-on-one or group mentoring to interested individuals.

Mentoring Programs

Women Faculty Mentoring

The Women Faculty Mentoring Program was established in 1994 in response to the report of the Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Gender issues at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine. At its inception, the program provided one-on-one mentoring and coaching as well as a number of educational programs. Since September 2019, the program has been re-structured to include monthly peer and group mentoring.

The major goals of the Women Faculty Mentoring program are:

  • Academic promotion
  • Personal and professional development
  • Faculty development

The program is open to all women faculty within the Faculty of Medicine.  Monthly mentoring events are scheduled based on thematic discussions relevant to a career in science or medicine, often with a guest presenter. Examples of topics covered are:  promotion, leadership, unconscious bias, wellness, communication, professionalism and financial management. Whether you are new to the faculty or an experienced faculty member, if you would like to find out more about the mentoring process, are considering becoming a mentor/mentee, or would like to get together and network with other women colleagues and faculty members, please contact the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at edifom@uOttawa.

Contact:

Dr. Ewurabena Simpson, MDCM, MPH, FRCPC
Assistant Dean, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Email:  [email protected]

Resources:

Handbook on Faculty Mentoring -To receive the document, please send an email to [email protected]

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Women Faculty Mentoring

Women Postdoctoral Fellows

This program has been in existence since February 2013 and was developed by the EDI office based on a model created at the Hannover Medical School by Dr. Barbël Miemietz, Equal Opportunities Officer.  The program was created to address the drop in the number of female scientists between the postdoctoral fellowship and the academic stage of their careers and determine if mentoring would promote academic success.

The program involves monthly group mentoring lunches which provide an opportunity for women PDFs to meet and network with colleagues and mentors. Numerous faculty mentors attend these lunches and provide guidance, answer questions and serve as strong academic role models.  Topics of discussion include career development, job opportunities, setting up a job portfolio, effective presentation techniques and family/work harmony. Monthly meetings alternate between informal discussions and more formal presentations on such topics as crafting an Individual Development Plan (IDP), structuring an effective cover letter and CV, preparing for an interview and delivering an effective chalk talk. 

Questions and expressions of interest in the program can be directed to:

Dr. Ewurabena Simpson, MDCM, MPH, FRCPC
Assistant Dean, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Email:  [email protected]

or

Alexandra Lafrance
Intermediate Coordinator, Office of Faculty Affairs
Email:  [email protected]

Women Postdoctoral Fellows

Sexual and Gender Minority Members (SGM)

In collaboration with the Medical Diversity and LGBTQ2SA+ Advocacy Group (MDAG) within the Aesculapian Society, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion has established a group/peer mentoring program for all SGM members within the Faculty of Medicine.  Meetings are held monthly to connect SGM learners with one other and with SGM faculty.  Whether you are an experienced faculty member or new to the Faculty of Medicine, if you would like to find out more about the mentoring process, are considering becoming a mentor/mentee, and/or would like to get together and network with other colleagues and faculty members from the SGM community, please contact the office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at edifom@uOttawa.

Questions and expressions of interest in the program can be directed to:

Dr. Ewurabena Simpson, MDCM, MPH, FRCPC
Assistant Dean, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Email:  [email protected]

or

Alexandra Lafrance
Intermediate Coordinator, Office of Faculty Affairs
Email:  [email protected]

Sexual and Gender Minority Members (SGM)

Mentoring Program for Black MD Students and Residents

The uOttawa Black Medical Students Association (uOBMSA), in collaboration with the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion of the Faculty of Medicine offer monthly group mentoring sessions for medical students and residents within the Faculty of Medicine.  In addition to the group mentoring activities, learners are paired one-on-one with Black physician mentors from the Faculty and affiliated hospitals. The goal of the program is to raise awareness about Black Canadian health disparities and to foster a community of inclusion that will promote the academic and personal success of black learners.  Members associated with the program also offer workshops and mock interview training to Black undergraduate students interested in a career in medicine.

Students, residents and faculty interested in participating in the program can contact the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at [email protected].

BMSA
Kuwait Mentoring Program

Postdoctoral Fellows Mentoring Program

The Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in collaboration with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is proud to announce the launch of a formal mentoring program at the Faculty of Medicine for Postdoctoral fellows.

For potential mentors, this is a great opportunity to give back, become a better leader, and refine your skills and networks.

We are excited to see the mentorship and outcomes which evolve from this initiative and look forward to matching you!

Top 5 reasons to become a mentor:

  • Become a better leader
  • Gain new perspectives and fresh ideas
  • Shape the leaders of tomorrow
  • Achieve personal career gains
  • Change someone’s world

If interested in becoming a mentor, kindly provide us with your information via the Survey Monkey link.