Jan 23, 2024
Saby George, MD, FACP, is a Professor of Oncology and Medicine
within the Department of Medicine and Director of Network Clinical
Trials at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is a
prominent clinical investigator in the kidney cancer space. Dr
George is passionate about teaching and mentoring and is a champion
advocate for his fellows.
“I was lucky enough to work with some great mentors and
envisioned a career I’d like.” Illustrating the power of
mentorship, we sit down with Dr. Saby George in a discussion on
mentorship, best practices for researchers, and why it’s important
for mentors to be unselfish and encourage independence. Join us on
another empowering episode of the Medicine Mentors, as we dive into
the fine print of mentorship from a master researcher and lauded
mentor. Tune in as Dr. George shares with us the mentors that
helped guide him to the position he’s in now, how he actively
champions mentees by offering independent opportunities, and how
the best piece of advice he got was simply to be more patient.
Pearls of Wisdom:
1. When looking for success in medicine, you
must look at the legacy you’re leaving behind. Mentorship helps us
create an environment that continuously strives to push the field
forward and leave behind a track-record of improving.
2. A few things to keep in mind when looking for mentors are:
competing interests between a mentor and mentee should be avoided,
and entering the relationship with honesty and truthfulness will
prove to provide a strong relationship.
3. When identifying the traits of a great mentor, you should be
able to see that your mentor is invested in seeing you succeed, is
unselfish, and able to give honest feedback along with reasonable
goals and expectations.
4. While it can be comfortable to work under
the supervision of a mentor, a good mentee should seek out
opportunities for growth and independence. Your mentor should
provide you with roles and opportunities that help you feel
comfortable in your skin.
5. A small but often overlooked detail for
clinical and basic science researchers is to make sure you’re
setting realistic timelines and following through. Especially for
conferences or studies, be sure to follow through and stay
persistent.