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Dana Morgan
Mentoring Activity
8/2/16
Mentorship in Medical Dosimetry
The term mentor comes from the Homers poem the Odyssey which means an extremely
wise person who supports and guides.1 A mentor guides an individual new to a field and serves
as a role model passing technical information along. There is a right way to do something and a
wrong way to do something You need to do it right, do it well, and do it with integrity.2 That
really says it all for me as a budding dosimetrist, it is so important to learn to do things the
correct way and sometimes there are techniques that you cannot learn from a book. A mentor
serves as an advisor or guide within a profession and gives a student wings if you will to
expand their knowledge, apply it and cultivate a high-quality standard of practice.
When a student begins in a profession such as dosimetry the vast amount of information
available is overwhelming and a student can feel defeated. A mentor can help manage
information in smaller increments building on information as the student is ready and eventually
recognizing when a student is ready to become more independent. Historically, dosimetry has
been passed on through on the job training in where information is passed along. Although,
while on the job training is not a path for dosimetrist any longer, its form still remains as mentors
pass the professional information on, or pay it forward. While dosimetry started out with on the
job training, passing on the extensive history and background of radiation therapy techniques
remains a crucial process today through mentoring. While the field has shifted to a more formal
education route, mentoring is still advantageous to learning the profession. Passing information
on as it was once thought to you.

Learning by example is invaluable and mentoring is a great

personal way to teach a student, giving students a person to lean on and ask questions.
Mentorship to me is more than the technical aspects of a career but the moral obligations and
expectations within the field. A way to ensure excellent standards of practice are instilled in the
student.
Being an effective mentor is a great responsibility as you want your baby to learn and
expand their knowledge. Passing on knowledge so that the student can apply the information in

a way that they comprehend. The student must also be willing and ready to work hard to achieve
goals and learn the profession. As Robin stated, being able to interact with others in a
professional setting and showing people that youre always learning and willing to find
answers, I find rings quite true. (Robin Carter, oral communication July 12, 2016) It is
imperative to have an open mind and be ready to work hard to achieve goals. I feel that in life
you can always learn from others however, when you are learning a specific field or trade it is
vital to have a mentor within the field. Giving you the specific ins and outs about the profession,
best practices, and how to hone your skills in the most effective way. Within dosimetry there are
so many specific techniques, standards, and expectations that I feel it is necessary to have a
mentor who is proficient in the field. There is a difference between teacher and a mentor in my
opinion. While the two are very similar, mentorship involves truly an ownership of the
educational component of a student and allows for nurturing, shaping and cultivating very
specific skills. Teachers can certainly impact a students life however; a mentor almost becomes
a part of their life. As Judy stated, mentoring makes you feel good and sharing your knowledge
with others gives you a sense of pride especially while watching the student learn and thrive.
Being a mentor or giving advice is a privilege to me and helping someone find their way in the
field of dosimetry is an honor and I enjoy it. (Judy Turner, oral communication July 12, 2016)
Mentors help those new to a field by supporting growth and accomplishments which fosters
confidence in a student.
As students are slowly introduced to basic concepts of the field, observe planning, and
eventually begin to plan independently, they take on more complex tasks as comprehension
permits. I feel this is necessary as the amount of information can be daunting thus, gradually
introducing techniques and adding responsibilities as the student become more proficient is best
way to begin in the field. A mentor should foster a positive atmosphere in which learning and
teaching can be constructive for both parties. Empowering the student to expand knowledge and
try new techniques. Additionally, an atmosphere which encourages one to ask questions, without
a feeling of shame or inadequacy. I feel fortunate enough to work with three excellent mentors
who guide me and instill confidence in my planning abilities. I truly appreciate their time and
effort used to shape my skills. I understand the dedication required and one-day hope to pay if
forward as well.

References
1. Mian A. True Mentorship in Medicine. Can Fam Physican. 2011: Ffeb;57(2):252.
2. Lenards N. Mentoring. [SoftChalk]. LaCrosse, WI: UW-L Medical Dosimetry Program;
2015.
3. Judy Turner interview at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center July 12, 2016.
4. Robin Carter interview at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center July 12, 2016.

Appendix A
Dana Morgan
Mentoring Interview with Robin Carter (Transcript)
July 12, 2016
Q: What does mentoring mean to you?
Robin: Being able to share what you know with other people, showing different ways way to
teach others and how that individual processes the information and interact with others in a
professional setting. Showing people that youre always learning but may not always know the
answer but can find answers from superiors.
Q: Do you recall some of your first experiences in receiving mentorship?
Robin: I have a specific memory of Judy my mentor manually constructing isodose wedge curve
with me and showing her technique. This was a true mentoring act, a sharing of knowledge to
help others learn.
Q: So mentors dont have to be in the field that youre in?
Robin: My first instinct is to say yes; mentors need to be in that field. Technology is always
changing, and knowing specifics is important. A basic mentor can teach people and you can
always learn from others but in the field of dosimetry being in the field is more conducive to
learning the specifics of the trade.
Q: If someone is in a situation where they dont have mentors available, whats a good way to
seek out mentors? How do you manage that search process?
Robin: Just start talking to other people in the profession, centers, and superiors. Just look
outside of your circle and reach out to people in the field. Most of the time people are willing to
help and give advice whether that be from management, physicists, or another facility.
Q: Do you have any advice for somebody who would like to eventually be a mentor?
Robin: I would say the number one thing that a mentor should have is patience and be able to
listen and teach the individual. Being a good mentor understands how that person learns and
teaches them personally. Really allowing the student to learn in their way and develop their
technique. Just stirring the student toward a desired outcome. A mentor accepts multiple ways
of doing things.
Q: Why do you think having a mentor is so important in the medical profession?

Robin: because you can learn a great deal through experience and their experience of a mentor.
Learning from mistakes or accomplishments helps you become good at your field. It is
important to have someone to brainstorm with and the medical field it is so specific in regard to
procedures and techniques it really is necessary and allows for good practices to carry forward.

Appendix B
Dana Morgan
Mentoring Interview with Judy Turner (Transcript)
July 12, 2016

Q: So mentors dont have to be in the field that youre in?

Judy: Being in the field is an asset to have that background because their perspective on the issue
would be more applicable to the student. However, one can still gain knowledge from others
which is always a benefit to the student
Q: What does mentoring mean to you?
Judy: Mentoring makes you feel good to share your knowledge with others and gives you pride
while watching the student learn and thrive. Being a mentor or giving advice is a privilege to me
and helping someone find their way in the field of dosimetry is an honor and I enjoy it.
Q: Do you recall some of your first experiences in receiving mentorship?
Judy: I remember when someone taught me something it felt like I had a purpose. It was a great
feeling to learn something new have someone care enough to help me learn. I was taught by a
physicist our Virginal dosimetry schools and he made a great impression on me and I knew that I
wanted to continue into that field and mentor others as or pay it forward.
Q: Do you have any advice for somebody who would like to eventually be a mentor?
Judy: A mentor must really want to help others and have patience to teach others. Being a mentor
can be difficult as perhaps it takes more time to teach and deal with different learning
capabilities. So a mentor must be patient and willing to go the extra mile. Also, a mentor should
always be available to the student.
Q: Why do you think having a mentor is so important in the medical profession?
Judy: Having someone with experience to relay information to a student is essential. To help
guide one in the right direction and incorporate a good skill set. Within the medical profession
especially dosimetry, it is important to have mentors because so many of the things we do are not
in a textbook but evolve as you become more familiar with the field and how standards of
practice are developed for the organization and individually. Watching others conduct themselves
while working is invaluable and learning how to problem solve.