Mentorship Program

Program Description
The purpose of the Iowa Psychiatric Physicians Society (IPPS) Mentorship Program is to connect medical students, residents and early career psychiatrist (ECPs–within the first 7 years of completing residency) with more experienced physicians in a different stage of their career including psychiatrists from across the state who share similar interests. Mentors can listen and if requested provide advice on a variety of topics, such as medical student education, medical school or resident rotations, applying to residency, different types of psychiatric practices, practice opportunities in various parts of the state, and share their own experiences navigating the field of psychiatry outside of residency. Mentees will be paired with mentors based on their preference for type of practice, location in Iowa, and specific interests. Finding someone who has chosen a similar path of interest can be challenging, and this mentorship program is meant to help medical students, residents and ECPs pursue their passion with the guidance of an experienced mentor. Medical students may select if they want a resident, ECP, or career psychiatrist mentor.

General Information
The IPPS Mentorship Program is available to IPPS members who are current medical students, residents and ECPs in the state of Iowa. To make the program worthwhile for both mentors and mentees, we would like to be sure that all mentees can commit to contacting their mentor four times over the course of the year (this can be via e-mail, phone, or in-person). We hope that mentor/mentee pairs would be able to meet in person during the IPPS meetings and conference, if possible.

Role of Mentors
Having good mentors is often integral to career development for medical students, residents and ECPs. Mentors can provide guidance during difficult situations, help residents and ECPs in navigating decisions about the direction of their careers, help them in learning more about topics of interest, or can provide a host of other opportunities.

Expectations of mentees:

Making contact with the mentor a minimum of four times a year (by phone, email, or in person)
Establish goals of the mentor/mentee relationship
Ask for career advice/perspective, feedback, suggestions, and conversation as needed
Discuss areas of interest to both the mentor and mentee and be open to conversation
Be open to developing a broader network, where possible

Expectations of mentors:

Making contact with the mentee a minimum of four times a year (by phone, email, or in person)
Establish goals of the mentor/mentee relationship
Offer career advice/perspective
Help the mentee gain knowledge in areas of interest to both the mentor and mentee
Be available to offer advice and to serve as a sounding board for concerns of the mentee
Help the mentee develop a broader network, where possible

IPPS Fall Symposium

Followed by the Resident Only Social
October 13, 2023
All Day
Radisson Hotel ~ Coralville
1220 1st Ave, Coralville, IA 52241

IPPS Membership Benefits

Q&A with Kyle McGinty, MD

Member Spotlight