The best mentorship comes from having shared goals, mutual respect, and a sincere desire to see the other person succeed. And there is no better place to experience this than at #OTOMTG25 in Indy!
Mentorship has been one of the most powerful forces in my personal and professional development. Looking back, I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance and generosity of mentors who saw something in me and gave me the opportunity and tools to grow.
One of those people was Ms. Barbara Murrell. At the time, I had everything on paper to getinto medical school: strong grades, good test scores, collegiate athlete, and meaningful extracurriculars. But what I didn’t have was research experience or any real clinical exposure. Ms. Murrell changed all that. She connected me with a program at Meharry Medical College in which I could shadow physicians and do the kind of research that helped me round out my application.
That experience was life-changing. For the first time in my life, I met African American physicians. I could see myself in them, and that was the moment I knew that my dream of becoming a physician was possible.That single act of mentorship set me on the path to becoming a physician. It’s the reason I’ve spent my career mentoring others and building pipelines to help more people find their way into medicine and into leadership.
The truth is, you never really know the impact you’re having on someone else’s journey. As physicians, we’re natural leaders whether we mean to be or not. The way we carry ourselves, the decisions we make, and the support we offer. It all leaves an imprint on those around us, including our patients.
Here’s something else I’ve learned.Mentors don’t have to look like you. The best mentorship comes from having shared goals, mutual respect, and a sincere desire to see the other person succeed. Some of the mentors who’ve shaped me the most didn’t share my background, but they did share their time, wisdom, and encouragement. That’s what truly matters.
If you’re looking to find or become a mentor, the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM is the perfect place to start. I remember being a young physician, eager to get involved in the Academy but not sure where to begin. I showed up at an AAO-HNS Board of Governors (BOG) meeting, and Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH, who was the chair at the time, welcomed me without hesitation. She helped me understand the BOG, grassroots advocacy, and how to get involved. Her mentorship opened doors and gave me the confidence to step through them.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be held October 11–14 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in this field for decades, I encourage you to attend. You’ll find opportunities to connect, to teach, to learn, and maybe even to change someone’s life.
Let’s continue building a specialty where mentorship isn’t just a buzzword—it’s part of our culture. Hope to see you there!
Join Us in Indianapolis: Where Possibilities Converge in a City that Is Compact, Connected, and Convenient!
Registration Opens in May
Indianapolis is the backdrop to our four days of innovation, connection, and growth as individuals and as a specialty. Now more than ever we need to come together as every conversation, every session, every handshake carries the potential to:
Spark collaborations
Uncover insights that advance patient care in your practice
Forge relationships
Identify common challenges and opportunities
And so much more!
The 2025 Annual Meeting will be an experience not to miss! Read moreabout the exciting new offerings at the Annual Meeting as well as the traditional, rich CME programming from Cecelia Damask, DO, AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting Program Coordinator. And start making your plans by exploring the hidden gemsthat are only offered and only experienced in Indy.
