INTERVIEW FEATURE always very important to us when planning the day ' s program , as well .
Working with ASH and the Trainee Council has been an invaluable experience to learn , network , and grow personally and professionally . I would encourage all trainees to get more involved with ASH and support trainees by considering being a Trainee Council member . Good luck to everyone on his or her career path !
Dr . Saultz is a fellow in the Division of Hematology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus , OH .
What should trainees focus on early in their careers ? The earlier you identify a mentor or mentors , the better . I cannot underestimate the importance of this . Make sure you have someone who knows what your career goals are and helps you get to where you want to be .
When looking for a mentor , take an outsider approach to determine how helpful he or she will be to get you to your goals .
Choosing someone just because of his or her personality is a common mistake that trainees and fellows make . Of course , we also need to recognize that it ’ s okay for our mentors to shift over time . Perhaps you had a great mentor at the beginning of your training , but then you decided to switch tracks ; it ’ s okay to switch your mentors , as well .
That is not to say that what you learned from the first person wasn ’ t valuable , but , at the same time , having someone who can help you stick to 18 months of clinical work and 18 months of research , typically – is critical .
What areas aren ’ t being stressed enough in training programs ? Collaboration with peers and “ co-fellows ” is extremely important , but something that we aren ’ t focused on during training . We are so focused on writing papers or doing our own projects that we don ’ t branch out to other avenues of collaboration – with PhDs , with physicians in other fields , with trainees in other countries . Other fellows have great ideas on different projects , and I think we should be looking to our peers more than we do .
Advice from the Future
We asked innovators and mentors in hematology and oncology : What advice would you give to early-career hematologists ? Here ’ s what they had to say !
“ Identify your talents early on – figure out what makes you happy and challenges you both professionally and personally . Is it the rigor of science , the art of medicine , [ or ] a combination of both ? Where do you want to be in 10 years ?
Sometimes there ’ s a perverse disconnect : Many people want to do things they are least-suited for and avoid areas where their talents shine . If introspection and mindfulness fail to answer this question , ask your spouse . He or she will set you straight .”
Robert P . Gale , MD , PhD , visiting professor of hematology at the Imperial College London , and executive director of Clinical Research in Hematology and Oncology at Celgene Corporation
“ I would tell younger hematologists not to impose timelines or artificial boundaries on themselves . For the first seven or eight years of my career , I worked part-time as an instructor so that I could spend more time with my three young children . When my youngest started kindergarten , I joined the faculty full-time . Of course , I was lucky that I had a husband who could support that career decision , but it was very important for me to have that time with them . When I look back , I know that I became an assistant professor seven years later than I should have ; however , it was worth it . And , because it was a productive seven years , I made up for the ‘ lost time ’ by getting an early promotion .”
Ranjana Advani , MD , professor of oncology at Stanford University Medical Center , and the Saul A . Rosenberg Professor of Lymphoma at
Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , California
“ Focus on a particular area or disease as early as possible . I ’ ve been passionate about hematology from day one . Get involved in collaborative groups . It ’ s intellectually rewarding and establishes lifelong personal and professional relationships . It has been a privilege for me to continue as a member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Leukemia Committee and the North American Intergroup after several decades .
Finally , I would say , ‘ Shoot for the stars in all of your endeavors .’”
Martin S . Tallman , MD , chief of the Leukemia Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center , New York , New York
“ I tell young trainees to do what you love , but recognize that certain parts of the day aren ’ t going to be fulfilling . As you ’ re starting out , political and economic battles will always pop up , but try to avoid them and concentrate your efforts on your patients and their families . Establish your reputation as a superb caregiver first and everything else will fall into place .
As the saying goes , ‘ Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life .’ So , make your work your play . People who love what they do are truly blessed . It may take a little bit longer to get on the pathway to what fulfills you , but that ’ s okay . Don ’ t hurry to your destination – enjoy the journey .”
Fred Schiffman , MD , Sigal Family Professor of Humanistic Medicine , vice chairman of medicine , and associate physician-in-chief of The Miriam Hospital , Providence , Rhode Island
2 Trainees and Fellows Edition