Message from the EAST President
Friday, May 2, 2025
Dear Members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST),
Remaining optimistic in a changing world and finding hope can be difficult. It requires effort to maintain equanimity while navigating life’s challenges. Creating opportunities for others through activities like mentoring and sponsoring and watching them succeed can fuel hope. Mentorship and sponsorship are professional relationships that help advance careers. Both “propel talent,” but they are not the same. A mentor shares knowledge and provides guidance to someone less experienced. Sponsors, on the other hand, actively promote growth. A sponsor is “someone who advocates for you when you’re not in the room.” When it comes to career progression, mentorship and sponsorship are equally important. If you are looking for a place to practice these skills look no further! EAST makes it easy. There are a number of opportunities for members to mentor and sponsor others both formally and informally. A few are highlighted below.
The EAST Mentoring Program began in 2012 and is supported by the Mentoring Committee. The program has successfully fostered over 150 mentor/mentee pairings. It was highlighted in an article in the Journal of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery (JTACS) titled “Paying it forward: four-year analysis of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma mentoring program.” (PMID:28452871).The EAST Executive Leadership Coaching and Mentoring Program (also under the direction of the Mentoring Committee) enrolled the first cohort in 2018 and targets mid-career EAST members that have shown leadership qualities and commitment to the organization’s mission and vision. This 2-year specially curated mentoring program is designed to help mid-career physicians reach the next phase in their career. Applications for the program opened again in 2025 to begin a new cycle. Six evolving leaders will be selected and matched with executive leaders by July! The INVEST-C Research Hackathon is a unique opportunity for research specific mentoring. Since 2017 the program has connected aspiring researchers with experienced surgeon-scientists to develop trauma and acute care surgery research ideas. The success of this program was highlighted in an article in JTACS entitled “Growing the next generation of trauma surgeon-scientists: reflections on 20 years of research investment.” (PMID: 35653510).
The Annual Scientific Assembly is the perfect time to mentor and sponsor in person. Events like No Suit, No Problem, the Chief Residents/Fellows Workshop and the Leadership Development Workshop are places where organized mentoring and sponsoring occur. In addition don’t overlook “stealth” opportunities to facilitate in-person introductions, recommend someone for an open job opportunity or take a few minutes to solicit and/or give advice and guidance between sessions. Your next opportunity will be January 20-23, 2026 at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA!
I recently had the chance to speak with EAST Past President (2006) Dr. Michael Rotondo. We discussed the impact of the mentors and sponsors he has had throughout his career. He recounted the sage advice they gave and the unexpected doors they opened which led him on an inspiring professional journey. As he evolved as a leader, Dr. Rotondo recognized that “bringing others to the table” and seeking opportunities for them to succeed and grow is a cornerstone of effective leadership and contributes to professional fulfillment. A link to the full conversation is below:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6D8goHT5cf52ZIC0NFMYmS?si=adMTaNJaQp2eiR7TCe3euw
Stay Hopeful & Empower Others,
Nicole Fox, MD, MPH, FACS, CPE
President
Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma