Navigating the challenges of diversity in a mentoring relationship: reflections from a webinar series

Abstract

Mentorship serves an important role in the career development and clinical training of surgical trainees and faculty. When mentoring relationships occur across identity differences—such as race, ethnicity, sexuality, and gender—between mentor and mentee, challenges may arise and compromise the impact of the relationship. In recognizing the needs of diverse mentees and acknowledging the challenges encountered when mentoring across identity differences, the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) #HeForShe Committee hosted a three-part national webinar series to explore the concept of mentoring across identity differences. This manuscript offers reflections from the webinar series and proposes general guidelines when engaging in a diverse mentoring relationship.