This article is for: Healthcare professionals at all career stages interested in personal growth, career advancement and making meaningful connections in the industry through mentorship and professional development programs.
Key concepts: healthcare mentorship | professional development | mentorship program | healthcare networking | collaborative leadership
Key takeaway: Mentorship allows healthcare professionals to connect and grow while fostering relationships that enhance career development and promote collaborative leadership within the industry.
In this episode of the MGMA Member Spotlight podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Delores McNair, Division Administrator at Duke University School of Medicine, and Bryana Blanco, Nursing Development Specialist at AdventHealth. Together, they discuss the MGMA Mentorship Program, their personal healthcare journeys and the importance of mentorship in career development.
Healthcare Journeys and Career Development
McNair and Blanco shared their unique paths in healthcare, highlighting the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. McNair’s journey from temp worker to administrator showcases the power of perseverance and guidance. Blanco's experience as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic led her to pursue healthcare administration, demonstrating the evolving nature of healthcare careers. Both emphasized how MGMA resources and mentorship played crucial roles in their professional growth, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities.
About the MGMA Mentorship Program
McNair and Blanco discuss their experiences with the MGMA Mentorship Program, highlighting its effective structure, flexibility and the meaningful professional relationships it fosters. The program provides the following benefits to MGMA members at various career stages:
- A structured yet flexible framework for mentorship relationships
- Facilitated networking and relationship-building across different areas of healthcare administration
- Pairing mentees with mentors based on the mentee's expressed interests and goals
- Flexible communication methods and frequency that accommodate both parties' schedules and preferences
- Opportunities for both mentors and mentees to learn and grow professionally
- Accessible and affordable, with options for student memberships
Importance of Networking and Continuous Learning
McNair and Blanco both stressed the significance of networking and ongoing education in healthcare leadership. The MGMA Mentorship Program serves as a platform for building professional relationships and expanding knowledge. It complements other MGMA resources such as conferences, listservs, and certificate programs, creating a comprehensive support system for healthcare leaders. The guests' experiences highlight how these connections and learning opportunities contribute to career advancement and improved healthcare management skills.
Conclusion
The importance of collaboration in healthcare leadership is a key theme brought up in this discussion. Encapsulating this approach, McNair emphasized, "It's not about you and it's not about me. It's all about the WE and WE are stronger together."
Actionable Tips:
- If you are participating in the mentorship program as a mentee, take the initiative and reach out to your assigned mentor, setting up regular communication.
- Develop a clear set of goals and expectations for the mentorship relationship to maximize its benefits.
- Utilize various communication methods (email, text, video calls) to maintain regular contact with your mentor/mentee, respecting each other's time and preferences.
- Look for opportunities to give back to the healthcare community through volunteering or mentoring others, even early in your career.
- Seek out opportunities for continuous learning, such as MGMA's certificate programs to enhance your skillset.
Resources:
MGMA Resources:
We Want to Hear From You:
Let us know if there's a topic you want us to cover, an expert you would like us to interview, or if you'd like to appear on an MGMA podcast. Email us at:
- Daniel Williams: dwilliams@mgma.com
- Ryan Reaves: rreaves@mgma.com
- Colleen Luckett: cluckett@mgma.com
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