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Ali Fitzpatrick
Mentor Essay
August 4, 2014
The Role of Mentoring in the Medical Dosimetry Profession
Having an effective relationship between mentors and mentees can benefit those on both
sides in the relationship grow and learn.
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In the field of medical dosimetry, a mentor can be seen
as a colleague or supervisor that is a more experienced person in the profession, and has a
knowledge of resources and information that could be beneficial to someone new in the
profession or job. Whether the mentee is a student, a new graduate, or starting a new job, there
are many advantages to having a mentor for guidance and advice. A mentor can also benefit by
learning more about themselves both as a professional and teacher.
Mentorship can be identified in a variety of different ways depending on the setting and
people, and can commonly be seen as a relationship between a beginner and a more experienced
person in a profession for the purpose of career and personal development and preparation for
leadership.
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Although this is a very defined explanation, mentor and mentee relationships can
happen in a variety of situations. Specifically, in medical dosimetry, this definition may pertain
to a student or new graduate that is entering the field and still needs guidance and information
from someone who is more experienced professionally. It can also be referencing to someone
who would like to take a leadership role within the department and could benefit by the advice
and available resources that a more experienced coworker or manager may have to offer.
Effective mentoring can have many potential advantages including academic success and
career achievement.
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According to an interview with Theresa Kent in 2014, a certified medical
dosimetrist at the University of Loyola Medical Center, it is important for a student or new
graduate to have someone that is available for questions and is willing to share resources to help
their mentee learn. In an interview with Nick Piotrowski in 2014, another medical dosimetrist at
the University of Loyola Medical Center, he agrees. He even says that its important for a
person to have multiple mentors, to gain different perspectives and receive advice from a variety
of personalities.
One important aspect of effective mentoring is having a mentor and mentee who are
both willing to work in the relationship. Both Kent and Piotrowski described in their interviews
the characteristics that an effective mentor must have, including patience. Good communication
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skills were also another characteristic mentioned by both medical dosimetrists when describing a
good mentor. Listening to concerns, feedback and questions from a mentee and being able to
teach or describe techniques to someone who is learning is a vital aspect of mentoring. On the
contrary, a mentee must be willing to learn and ask questions whenever the opportunity is
available. The mentee must also have good communication skills to foster an effective
relationship with the mentor. It is extremely important that the mentee sets goals and
communicates those with the mentor, so the mentor is aware what their mentee seeks to gain
from the relationship. Assisting and encouraging the mentee will be much easier if open
communication is practiced.
Unfortunately, there may be some concerns about the mentor and mentee relationship.
There is generally a lack of understanding among mentors how to become effective and valuable
in the relationship.
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The general hope of companies and schools is that the mentor will learn
through practice. The more people they mentor, the more effective they will become in helping
their mentees. However, this unstructured set-up can lead to many misunderstandings
throughout the relationship and even make the relationship more challenging than helpful. It is
important that a mentor evaluate themselves and their teaching skills before they begin a mentor
and mentee relationship with anyone. It is through self-reflection and feedback from co-workers
or managers that mentors can help prepare themselves for an effective relationship.
Throughout the mentor and mentee relationship, it is expected that the mentor will learn
and grow along with their mentee. A relationship must be built over time, and there is the
opportunity for goals and the profession to evolve and change which will affect both the mentor
and mentee in different ways. The importance of communication was mentioned multiple times
by both medical dosimetrists that were interviewed. Through the changes that each person in the
relationship experiences over time, it is expected that both individuals share these changes to
constructively learn from one another. A mentor must also realize that it is not their
responsibility to give their mentee answers to all of their questions and problems, but rather point
them in the right direction and encourage them to explore additional information and
opportunities.
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It takes time and effort for the mentor to develop skills such as these to
effectively mentor.
The last question asked to both medical dosimetrists in their interviews was whether or
not they felt that the practice of mentoring was important in the field of medical dosimetry. Both
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responses were an overwhelming yes. The medical dosimetrists at Loyola felt that mentoring
was extremely valuable in the profession, and encouraged the practice in every clinic or hospital
for students, new employees, or people looking for help and guidance within the department.
Whether the relationship is purely professional and improves treatment planning techniques, or
extends further into personal life, it is extremely valuable to have someone who is willing to
provide guidance and help a person grow throughout their career as a medical dosimetrist.

























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References
1. University of Washington Human Resources. Career Development Mentoring.
http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/roles/ee/careerdev/mentoring/. Updated 2014. Accessed
August 4, 2014.
2. Trad ML. Mentoring radiation therapy students: a review and survey. Radiation Therapist.
2009;18(2):101-108.
3. Lenards, N. Mentoring. [SoftChalk]. La Crosse, WI: UW-L Medical Dosimetry Program; 2014.
















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Appendix A
Mentoring Interview with Theresa Kent (Transcript)
July 28, 2014
Q: Why do you think the mentor/mentee relationship is important, professionally or personally?
A: When your education ends and youre done with all the bookwork, youre still going to need
someone with wisdom and experience that can steer you in the right direction and help you grow
professionally. We all have questions, especially within our first year on the job. Its nice to
have the door open so if you have any questions, or if something unusual happens, you have
someone to turn to. A mentor can also give you different resources to help you along your
career, or give you a different perspective on a situation.
Q: What do you think are the characteristics of a good mentor?
A: Experience, the ability to be a good listener, someone who is able to put themselves in your
shoes. They should be asking questions like, what do you need, where are you in this stage in
your career, how can I help you succeed, and they need to want to help. Patience is another big
characteristic, one needs to understand that youre still learning. A good mentor will also have
resources to direct their mentee in their future goals.
Q: Who has influenced you professionally?
A: Specifically, there was one physicist when I was completing my on the job training for
dosimetry. He was very hard working, but always had the time to help and work through a
problem until you understood a concept. He had two great characteristics: patience and the
willingness to help. He was very approachable, which also made a difference when I had a
question. He was a good leader in the department and I looked up to him throughout my
training.
Q: Was that because you approached him or it just happened?
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A: It was more of a situation of circumstance. He was always at the clinic and so willing
to answer questions that he was the person I would always go to for help and advice
professionally.
Q: Have you ever mentored someone?
A: Oh yes, many times. I was the lead therapist on a Novalis machine so it was my
responsibility to coordinate training for devices and treatment for therapists. Thats actually
when I started to planI was cross-trained as a dosimetrist for Novalis, and then it was my
responsibility to train physicists on the planning system. One thing lead to another and then I
started working on Eclipse and dong 3D and other techniques. I felt like I was a resource in the
department for other therapists and physicists when it came directly to BrainLab though. I
enjoyed my role.
Q: What do you think are the characteristics of a good mentee?
A: Desire to learn! I mean, you really have to want to learn, but also to understand concepts
within the clinic. A student or new employee must be willing to encounter new situations and try
anything to help the department.
Q: Do you think its important for someone entering the field of medical dosimetry to have a
mentor?
A: Oh absolutely, I do. I wish I wouldve had an experienced dosimetrist to show me in-depth
concepts and encourage me to dive in and learn. As you learn and grow, its nice to have
someone there to help you along and be a resource for you as you go along on your educational
and professional path. When I compare my on the job training with the experience you have
through UW-L, Im jealous. You really have so many resources and ways to learn through
different people. Right away in your internship youre assigned a preceptor and that person is
able to take you under their wing and show you the ropes. We all take a part in your education
here at Loyola, so I hope you feel comfortable with all of us as your mentors.


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Appendix B
Mentoring Interview with Nick Piotrowski (Transcript)
July 28, 2014
Q: Why do you think the mentor/mentee relationship is important, professionally or personally?
A: I think a mentor/mentee relationship is the basis of everything. You learn how to act or react
to situations both personally and professionally. Its a way to gain knowledge within your field
professionally and will help you in the long run.
Q: What do you think are the characteristics of a good mentor?
A: Patience is important, because people arent going to learn things right away. A mentor must
have multiple ways of teaching things, because not everyone is able to learn in the same way.
Either that or the mentor should be able to refer you to someone who does things a little
differently so you can see many ways of completing a task. I think communication is important
as well, having a positive attitude, being open to questions.
Q: Who has influenced you professionally?
A: Well it was originally my high school teacher who had radiation therapy that encouraged me
to enter the field. Then after that it was Melissa (in the RT program), Karen and Nishele
educationally. There were many radiation therapists along the way that taught me how to do my
work, how to work professionally in the field, how to communicate with others. I guess I had
multiple mentors that all helped me in different ways. It was great, you can take away what you
want from each person and ultimately it will help you grow as a person and a professional.
Q: Was that because you approached these people or were they assigned?
A: Well, as far as my education, Melissa, Karen and Nishele were all program directors,
so they were sort of obligated to help. As for the therapists, we were assigned a mentor
each semester in schoolPeggy and Braden were mine, but if there was someone who I
felt a connection with or I thought could teach me something unique, I would ask them
for help.
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Q: Have you ever mentored someone?
A: Well, we were mentors for therapy students that were younger than us on campus, and then
we were assigned mentees at Froedtert. Here, I mean, I hope you can ask me questions
whenever or look to me for help. Otherwise Im fairly new to the profession of medical
dosimetry. I think most of my mentoring has come in the form as a tennis instructor to kids that
Ive taught over the years. I think thats prepared me for being an open and helpful mentor
professionally.
Q: What do you think are the characteristics of a good mentee?
A: Ask a lot of questions!! Its the only way to learn. Dont be afraid to make mistakes, and
always be willing to jump in. All of that is easier said than done, but honestly, youll regret your
time in your internship if you dont just jump in and learn from everyone you can. This is the
time for you to learn and make mistakes. EVERYTHING will be checked and double checked
before it reaches the machine, so dont be afraid to try different things and ask for help along the
way.
Q: Do you think its important for someone entering the field of medical dosimetry to have a
mentor?
A: Absolutely multiple really. Youre not going to gain all of the knowledge you need from
school, or even from one mentor. Honestly, you probably learn just as much in your first year as
a medical dosimetrist as you learned in your schooling. The more experience you get, the better
you get! Find multiple people that are willing to help you with specific things treatment
planning, communication, imaging. Just remember, ask questions! Now is the time!