The ASA Committee on Professional Diversity announces its annual call for proposals for the ASA Mentoring Program in the spring of each year. The goal of the program is to foster diversity within ASA through mentorship. The program provides funding up to $5,000 to mentor/mentee pairs who submit a project of mutual interest. The project may be oriented to scientific or clinical research, or an educational, political advocacy or organized medicine endeavor.
The matched mentee/mentor pair should submit the application form (posted here in spring), their individual curriculum vitae and a one- or two-page description of their project to the ASA Committee on Professional Diversity no later than June 30. The submission should include:
- A detailed description of the project’s objective, along with an explanation of how it will enhance the professional growth and leadership potential of the mentee.
- A designation of the length of time, required equipment/supplies, travel, meetings and requested funding; also include co-funding provided by the home institution of record in support of project chosen by the mentee/mentor, if any.
- Potential barriers and success factors.
Mentors should be well established clinicians, educators and researchers and current ASA leaders who have a particular interest in and passion for mentoring a rising medical student, anesthesia resident/fellow, junior faculty member or new graduate in private practice. The mentor will voluntarily provide time, one-on-one guidance, direction and counsel to the mentee on a mutually agreed-upon project. The one- to three-year project must have the goal of enhancing the professional career, leadership potential and active involvement of the mentee within ASA.
Mentees should be ASA members of diverse racial, ethnic or gender backgrounds who are interested in gaining experience in leadership and exposure to research, education or political advocacy opportunities within ASA. Mentees may be medical students, anesthesia residents/fellows, junior faculty members or new graduates in private practice. In addition to working on their chosen project and maintaining regular interaction with their mentors, mentees are expected to:
- Join their state component society, and if possible, attend at least one local meeting annually; volunteering for involvement within component activities and local and ASA Political Action Committee participation is encouraged.
- Self-nominate for at least one ASA or subspecialty society committee and actively participate if selected.
- Submit an educational, clinical or research abstract, or poster at the ASA or subspecialty society meeting within 12 months of project completion.
- Along with their mentor, briefly present their project at the annual ASA Committee on Professional Diversity meeting.
The completed application form and other materials should be submitted to DiversityMentor@asahq.org.
For 2018 applicants, the committee will review all submissions and notify the matched pairs of potential funding status and support of the project by August 31, 2018. Funds will be distributed after the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2018 annual meeting. A one-page written update of the progress of the project will be due June 30, 2019.