Shifted into Gear: The Mentor Who Elevated Me
by Noela Botaka, MD
On August 3, 2024, I stood on the podium, my heart racing as I gazed upon a room of distinguished Black anesthesiologists and educators, legends in a field I have long admired. As I scanned the crowd, my gaze instinctively sought out one person: my mentor, the woman whose unwavering belief in me had made this very moment possible.
This was my first oral presentation at the National Medical Association( NMA) conference, a moment I had envisioned countless times. Yet, no amount of preparation could have foreseen the journey that led me here— just one hour of restless sleep after a last-minute cancelled flight left me with no choice but to drive 12 grueling hours overnight to New York City.
Finally, my eyes found her. When our gazes met, she offered me a warm, comforting smile, one that instantly eased my nerves and grounded me in the present. Her presence alone was an unspoken reassurance, allowing me to deliver my presentation on cardiac and critical care anesthesia with utmost confidence. The applause that followed afterwards was gratifying, but it was the pride in her expression – the way she beamed at me, radiating joy – that meant far more to me than any ovation ever could.
After the presentation, I wasted no time seeking out my mentor, eager to share my excitement and gratitude. But beneath my excitement, one thing weighed on me— an apology I needed to make. I had placed her in an incredibly difficult position, as the first time she heard me present our project was on that very podium— the real deal. We had originally planned a mock presentation the day before, but those plans quickly unraveled when I was forced to drive straight to New York.
When I finally confessed this to her, I braced myself for disappointment. Instead, she met me with the same unwavering confidence that had carried me so far. I’ ll never forget her response:“ I wasn’ t worried at all— I had complete faith in you.”
Those words, though simple, had immense weight. Time and time again, they had carried me through anchors of doubt, becoming a driving force in my journey. And this moment was no exception.
The voice behind those words belonged to Dr. Kandis Adkins, a remarkable and inspiring anesthesiologist I have come to admire deeply. Her steadfast guidance has been instrumental in my growth, helping me to navigate significant challenges and strengthening my confidence, resilience and commitment to medicine.
Our paths first crossed during my second year of medical school, in the fall of 2021 through my role as Vice President of my school’ s Student National Medical Association( SNMA), an organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented minority medical students and addressing the needs of underserved communities. As VP, I served as the student liaison to the Fall City Medical Society( FCMS), Louis-
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