Mentoring is a highly valued experience for both mentees and mentors. It is seen to support collegiality, engagement and care for colleagues, to foster leadership and professionalism, and is a way to address culture change. As the relationship between mentees and mentors matures and evolves, it is hoped that both mentors and mentees will also increasingly be able to raise, address and resolve ethical issues.
There is strong desire to keep the program voluntary and informal. Where a trainee or other member asks AOA to arrange a mentor for them, we do so by ascertaining the reason they are seeking the mentor – eg is it for assistance with communication skills, technical skills or do they need careers advice/ help with establishing a practice - we then approach a mentor and following discussion put the mentee in contact with the mentor.
The following AOA members have volunteered to act as a mentor to a younger AOA surgeon. To the best of AOA’s knowledge they are fully registered, practising orthopaedic surgeons.
If you are interested in being mentored by one of these surgeons, please contact Education Manager Elizabeth Burrell via Elizabeth.burrell@aoa.org.au