Mar 9, 2021
Irene Estores MD is an Associate Professor of the department of medicine and department of orthopedics at UF College of Medicine. She is also the Director of the integrative medicine program at University of Florida (UF Health). Dr. Estores completed her medical school at University of the Philippines and her residency in physical medicine & rehabilitation from Sinai Hospital - Johns Hopkins Hospital inter-institutional program. She then completed her integrative medicine fellowship at the University of Arizona Center for integrative medicine. To expand her skills as a physician leader, she also completed an integrative healthcare leadership program at Duke University with its Center for Integrative Medicine and Fuqua School of Business.
When Dr. Irene Estores was going through the Duke Integrative Healthcare Leadership Program, one of her assignments was to put together her personal board of advisors. Dr. Estores’ sister, who has a leadership position, but isn’t in the medical field, gave her criteria to help her choose her mentors: "You need someone who can hold your hand, be a shoulder to cry on, but can also kick your butt." Mentorship doesn’t have to come from one person. You need to find people who will not only hear you and support you, but also help you figure out how to get unstuck.
Pearls of Wisdom:
1. Mentoring relationships can be with anyone who
shares your values and passions. Your mentors don’t have to be in
your institution or even in your profession!
2. Residents: identify what makes
you feel alive and lifts your spirit. That will help you stay
grounded, which will help you when speaking to patients.
3. Take inspiration from role
models who have walked your bath before you.
4. Mentors help you identify your
blind sports. It’s helpful to have a board of advisors to help you
become a better version of yourself.