The ESAIC Mentorship Programme: not a Sci-Fi movie

Once upon a time, in a bustling European city, there was a young and ambitious professional named Anna who was determined to make a name for herself in the competitive world of anaesthesia, intensive care, and perioperative medicine. She knew that to succeed, she needed guidance and support from someone who had already walked the path she aspired to follow. That’s when she met her mentor, a well-known senior consultant named Michelle.

Michelle took Anna under her wing and shared her wealth of knowledge and experience with her eager mentee. She taught Anna the ins and outs of the research community, introduced her to key contacts, and provided invaluable advice on navigating the challenges of a fast-paced career. With Michelle’s guidance, Anna’s career began to soar to new heights.

As Anna continued to learn and grow under Michelle’s mentorship, she realised the true power of having a mentor in her corner. Not only did Michelle help her advance in her career, but she also became a trusted confidante and friend. Their connection went beyond professional development – a bond glowed with mutual respect and admiration.

Through their mentor-mentee relationship, Anna gained the confidence and skills she needed to excel as a researcher and, ultimately, as a physician. She learned to go beyond the superficial reading of articles, take novel research hypotheses, and embrace new opportunities with courage and determination. Michelle’s unwavering support and encouragement fueled Anna’s passion for expanding her scientific production and inspired her to reach even greater heights.

As Anna’s career flourished, she never forgot Michelle’s impact on her professional journey. She promised herself to pay it forward and become a mentor to others starting their careers. She knew firsthand the transformative power of mentorship and the profound effect it could have on someone’s life.

In the end, Anna’s story was a testament to the profound impact of mentors on one’s career. Through her connection with Michelle, she found success in medical research and discovered the true value of mentorship – a glowing bond that lights the way for others to follow in their footsteps.

Do you like this story? This could be you in the following years. At the ESAIC Mentorship Programme, we can fuel your energy and motivation through the appropriate path to let big things happen (with your relentless effort and perseverance!). This programme runs for two years and will connect you with renowned researchers in our field who will guide you in this journey. Besides, you will be able to connect with other mentees like you in specific forums, such as the Mentee Club, where you can discuss and enrich your perspectives. In each Euroanesthesia congress, we will meet in the kickoff meeting with other mentors and mentees who share the same interests and concerns as you. Each year, we also project a series of virtual workshops engaging with renowned experts, such as the last collaboration with the European Journal of Anesthesia editors. In this workshop that targeted a small group of participants, we could raise doubts and ask questions directly in a relaxed environment. New projects are ready for the upcoming months in the pipeline to keep growing and expanding our frontiers.

Over the past year, as the Mentorship Programme Leader, I have seen younger colleagues achieving their goals and crossing their comfort zones. We often say that relationships are like keeping a plant alive; we need water to grow, but when you get water with extra nutrients, all the sprouts will flourish. It is an honour and a privilege for me to enable these magic connections between senior and younger fellows that make long-lasting bonds. My most valuable contribution is to put people at the core of my commitments and always be kind, especially to those in a difficult situation. I would not be the same person I am today if not for my two mentors, Arash Afshari and Giovanni Landoni. I cannot be prouder of what I have learned from them and what I am still learning. Yes, I was also a mentee, and I’ve been there and done that. Still, I advise you to surround yourself with people smarter than you and blend with all kinds of people with different skills and backgrounds. Go to other places to hear those people who are at the top, ask questions every time you don’t understand something, be respectful and let yourself be creative and innovative. Learning is a treasure that will follow you…everywhere.

Author

• Carolina Soledad Romero García – Consultant Anesthesiologist and Critical Care at Hospital General Universitario. Assistant Professor at Universidad Europea de Valencia. Guidelines Committee member of the European Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (ESAIC) & Junior Methodologist at ESAIC. Research Mentorship Programme Leader at ESAIC. US GRADE & Evidence Foundation Scholar.

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