Mentee Testimonials
Foremost, I am grateful to have been selected to be a part of the inaugural ASRS URiM mentorship program. It is a great program for a student like me who attends a medical school that is new, does not have a home ophthalmology residency program, and, specifically, I am the first person in my family to become a physician. What I really like about the ASRS URiM mentorship program and what I believe sets it apart is the focus on reflection, introspection, and community building that is being done with Mr. Debon Lewis and his Transformative Mentorship program. In our first session together we spoke about how we are intersectional individuals and how our identities influence our experience / notions of medicine. At our 2nd session at the ASRS annual meeting in NYC, the session centered around reflection of our passions, our “why,” and goals / aspirations. On a grand level, I enjoyed these sessions because it was an opportunity to get to know my mentors and fellow mentees. For example, I was able to learn what continues to drive my mentors, their journey to ophthalmology and experiences, and advice for us wanting to become an ophthalmologist. On an individual level it was an opportunity to put to paper my goals and aspirations and seek insight from others about where to start to get there. On the other hand, this program is a great opportunity for medical students and residents to attend conferences to network and learn more about ophthalmology and what this field has to offer which I appreciate. I am looking forward to experiencing the rest of what this program has to offer!
Shannan Moore (medical student)
First, I would like to thank everyone for this fantastic group and for funding me to attend the ASRS conference. This was one of the best conferences I went to for multiple reasons. Words cannot express how loved and cared for I feel by my family and other families, as well. I came to this conference hoping to be inspired and happy to meet my mentors and other mentees, but I got so much more. I am feeling more driven and more sure to go this route. I am feeling more determined to get through my roadblocks so that I can become an ophthalmologist. I want everyone who helped put this together to know that you all are truly making a difference in our lives. I have been told that I could never get to where I am and where I want to go. However, you all see potential, and you put time into helping us, and I hope to repay that in the near future. Thank you.
Akua Frimpong (resident)
I have truly enjoyed my experiences with my mentorship family and the entire group, so far. Our discussions around various sensitive topics have been profound, in a way that one might think of a university liberal arts class as having. The personal reflection and sociologic intrigue our conversations have encouraged and probed create a great basis for sharing personal anecdotes, novel ideas, and joyful moments together. My in-person experience with my mentorship family at the ASRS Annual Meeting was invaluable in the friends I made, the rich information I learned, and the excitement for ophthalmology and retina it further instilled in me. I have begun to make a great network of professional connections, from which I have started a DEI research project that I otherwise may not have had the proper guidance and support to carry out on my own. I cannot wait to see how the rest of the year goes!
Ian Whittall (resident)
Being a part of the ASRS mentorship initiative has already climbed to top spot of programs I have been involved with in medical school. It was at the meeting in NYC — with my mentors around the table — when I first felt comfortable vocalizing my long term goals in academia. In that moment my fears of inadequacy faded away and I knew I was among family.
Joy Achounjei (medical student)
As a first-generation college graduate and doctor, navigating the medical training process on my own has been challenging. My mentors through the ASRS UiM Mentorship Program is the first time I felt seen and openly welcomed in ophthalmology. It’s also the first time I felt not only supported but inspired to pursue my dream of making ophthalmological care more accessible to greater numbers of underserved patients. Because of the ASRS mentorship program, I’ve been able to meet key mentors, develop important research projects examining diversity and equity in ophthalmology, and learn about how industry and academia can collaborate to improve care delivery. I feel very lucky that such a program exists and to be a part of it.
Anh Nguyen (resident)
The mentorship program has been incredible, and I am extremely grateful. It’s been inspiring to connect with mentors and see what the future holds. I remember one of my mentors calling me the day that I was accepted into the program, and he told me to “call him if I ever needed anything.” This made me felt welcomed as mentee in retina and was only the beginning. I hope this program continues to draw and empower underrepresented individuals to the field of retina.
Tommy Bui (medical student)
The ASRS family track program is special in that it provides personal and professional development and ensures that our career goals align with our personal values. I don’t know of any other mentorship program that dives into this level of introspection as part of our journey in ophthalmology. In fact, all of my life being a non-traditional older student and single mom of twins I was actively discouraged from pursuing medicine. The ASRS URiR Mentorship program is the first time I felt truly encouraged and supported to reach beyond what I considered was possible. I believe this approach is effective because, as a non-traditional student-parent and first-generation graduate pursuing retina, consistent and long-term guidance can allow me to be a well-rounded person for myself and for my future patients and community.
Jennifer Pinal (medical student)