American Society of Hematology

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ASH Mentor Award: Now in Its Second Year and Going Strong

By Scott D. Gitlin, MD

2007-11-01

Dr. Gitlin is Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program Director, University of Michigan Health System. Dr. Gitlin is also Chair of the ASH Committee on Training Programs.

Mentors are especially important to the development of anyone pursuing an academic career. Mentors are needed for individuals at all levels of experience, from the trainee to the accomplished full professor. In recognition of the important role that mentors and their mentorship play in individuals’ career development, ASH established the ASH Mentor Award. This prestigious award, now in its second year, was created to recognize the importance of mentoring and the individuals who exemplify the role of "mentor."

For the purposes of this award, "mentoring" is defined as the process of guiding, supporting, and promoting the training and career development of others. The key roles of a mentor include, but are not limited to, stimulating intellectual growth and career development, being a role model, and providing professional guidance and advocacy. Each year, both a basic scientist and a clinical investigator will be recognized through a competitive and rigorous selection process that includes interviews with several of the individuals that were mentored by the nominee (mentees). The selection of the honorees is based on the training experiences and success of the nominee’s mentees, not on the mentor’s personal career achievements. This year’s ASH Mentor Awards will be presented to Drs. Edward Benz and Harold Roberts.

Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, is currently on the faculty of Harvard Medical School where he is President of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, CEO of Dana-Farber/Partners Cancer Care, and Director of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. He has become a passionate spokesperson advocating the importance of mentoring. Dr. Benz’s mentees describe him as "a consummate scientist, physician, and teacher who leads by example as a research advisor, career counselor, and multi-faceted role model" who "has had a lifelong commitment to medical education—teaching, advising, and nurturing the careers of students, fellows, and junior faculty." He "has had a transforming role in the lives of his mentees." Many of Dr. Benz’s mentees still seek his input and guidance regarding significant matters in their careers and personal lives.

Harold R. Roberts, MD, is currently a faculty member at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill where he has held several leadership roles, including Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Director of the Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, and Director of the Clinical Coagulation Laboratory. He was the founding Director of the UNC Hemophilia Center, which now bears his name. Dr. Roberts taught his mentees "how to think, how to teach, how to communicate with patients, and how to present [their] research." He is identified as being "the singularly most influential person" in the lives of his mentees and one who nurtures undergraduates, medical students, and faculty at all levels. His mentees state that "he has mentored our lives."

The ASH Mentor Award will be presented to Drs. Benz and Roberts on Sunday, December 9, at 1:30 p.m. during the 2007 ASH Annual Meeting, allowing proper recognition to be given to these two outstanding examples of what a mentor should be and to celebrate the mentoring that is provided by so many.