Mentorship in Academic Surgery: Revisiting the Essence of Faculty Development

Mentorship is one essential element of faculty development that is traditionally described as a relationship between a senior individual who serves as the mentor for a mentee who is a less experienced individual. Permitting the mentee to select the mentor as a form of informal pairing; providing structured training for mentors and mentees; conducting frequent, in-person sessions; and financially and academically recognizing the mentoring activities will be of mutual benefit to mentors and mentees alike, and beneficial to the organization that the mentors and mentees serve. Mentorship represents a discipline distinct from coaching and sponsorship. Mentoring is an intense, holistic, and long-term professional relationship that transforms the mentor and mentee, as well as the organization in which the interaction occurs. Coaching is a focused, short- or long-term professional interaction that is directed at specific goals and objectives that are established by the coachee. Sponsoring represents active support by the sponsor with significant influence and access to resources and who is advocating for the career advancement of the sponsee. All 3 exercises are of known value to permit academic development and academic advancement in faculty development constructs.