A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor who supports and guides someone less experienced, helping them to grow and develop professionally and personally. Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor many amazing young medical students, residents, fellows, and early-career ophthalmologists.
At the recent YoungMD Connect (YMDC) Live meeting in Austin, a resident asked me a simple but profound question: “Why do you do it?” By “you,” he meant all of us mentors—those who step away from busy clinics, operating rooms, and precious family time to travel across cities and pour our knowledge into the next generation.
No one had asked me that before.
I gave him a quick answer: “Because we love what we do and want to share our passion with others.”
That’s true—but his question lingered. It followed me through the night and into the next day. Why do we give so much of our time, often spending our own money, to do something from which the only return is the joy of teaching and guiding others?
The more I thought about this, the clearer it became. My first answer was true, but it only scratched the surface. Mentorship is more than guidance; it’s about purpose. Most mentors are leaders at heart. We share our knowledge not for recognition, but because we care. We want to make a positive impact. We love what we do, and we find deep meaning in helping others to fall in love with it, too.
I tracked down the resident the next day and shared my deeper thoughts with him. He nodded, still a bit skeptical, and said, “Hmm, I guess. But it’s great that you do.”
What struck me most about the meetings I’ve attended recently is the consistent message shared with young doctors. The same 3 key points kept coming up:
- Build lasting relationships with mentors and peers.
- Strive to be the best at what you do.
- Never stop learning.
I couldn’t agree more with these.
Through mentorship, I’ve built meaningful relationships with countless future and current doctors. Watching them grow, thrive, and succeed fills me with pride. I smile when I see their achievements, because their success is, in some small way, a reflection of the time, care, and belief that someone once invested in me.
That’s why we do it.
We mentor every day, often without realizing it. As parents, employers, teachers, coaches, and friends, we guide others through words, actions, and by simply showing up. Picking up the torch of mentorship is deeply fulfilling. It’s not just about teaching; it’s about believing in someone else’s potential and helping them to see it for themself. It’s about legacy, connection, and growth, on both sides. Mentorship isn’t a duty—it’s a gift, and the returns are immeasurable. OM
