Insight Matters
Spring, 2003

Why Do We Need a Mentorship Program?
Ben Borja, M.D., Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Early Career Psychiatrists

Early Career Psychiatrists have identified the need to not just be a member of the OPA but to have a "sense of belonging". The first question that arises is "What can we get from joining the OPA?". Membership in the OPA has been going down. Mentoring is a powerful way to assist ECP's in a making a successful transition. The program is an excellent opportunity for ECP's to connect with season and more experienced mentors through the OPA and thus become an instrumental way in recruiting new members to the OPA and making them stay a member. Mentoring programs are common in much of corporate America. The success of an organization can be fostered by a good mentoring program which can serve as a venue to promote camaraderie and closer relationships between ECP's and established psychiatrists. On the other hand, being a mentor can be a truly rewarding experience. The mentor is able to transfer valuable knowledge, wisdom and lessons of life/career experiences that leave a lasting imprint on the mentee. The ECP committee will send out letters and forms to you inviting you to join the program as well as explaining the details and mechanics of the program. We are appealing to you take part in the program. Its success all depends on you.

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