MEDICAL STUDENT LIFE

THE LEADERSHIP PIPELINE

Engaging the Next

Generation of Leaders

CEP13 was a celebration of

emergency medicines tremendous
past and its bright future. We
commemorated those who founded and
shaped our specialty through the premiere
of EMRAs long-awaited documentary
and elected a new cohort of leaders to the
EMRA and ACEP Boards of Directors. But
perhaps to me, the most important theme
that emerged during this conference was
recognizing the importance of student
engagement in creating a pipeline of
specialty.

Lessons learned from

ACEP Resolution #10
This resolution sought to exclude medical
student members of ACEP in determining
the number of councillors allocated to
each state chapter. Thanks to thoughtful
testimony from both students and experienced ACEP leaders alike, this
proposition was overwhelmingly
defeated. Not only would this resolution
have had minimal impact on the overall
number of councillors (less than 5%
decrease), but it actually would have hurt

SUBMIT

smaller chapters the most; losing one of a

few councillors is of much greater impact
than losing one of several.
If ACEP is to accomplish its goal of
increasing total membership by retaining
EMRA members as they transition from
residents to attendings, the role of
medical student engagement cant be
overlooked. Involved medical students
will become involved residents, who will
one day become involved attendings. Some
state chapters, such as Texas, have excelled
at engaging medical students, while others
are still warming up to the idea. I would
like to challenge the leadership of each
chapter to reach out to the medical students
within your state and to be vigilant in
recognizing and providing opportunities for
them to become more involved. You might
be surprised by how much these up-andcoming physicians have to offer.

The difference between

mentors and advisors
While the need for increased student
engagement at the state and national levels
is evident, it is not a replacement for the
value of one-on-one mentorship. Although

A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

We want to
hear from

you!

EM
EM Resident
Resident welcomes
welcomes
and
and
encourages
encourages
letters
letters
to the to
editor
the submitted
editor submitted
to emresidenteditor@emra.org.
to editor@emra.org.
We reserve the right to edit all letters for accuracy, taste and grammar, and/or to refuse or condense letters for space purposes.

Zach Jarou, MSIV

EMRA MSGC Chair

Michigan State University
College of Human Medicine
Lansing, MI

Ive written about the importance

of mentorship in the past, it was
not until recentlywhile attending
a grand rounds presentation on the
interview trailthat I gained an
appreciation for the fundamental
distinction that exists between two
terms that are often, and improperly,
used interchangeably: advisor
versus mentor.

upon, in general, a mentor guides

while an advisor directs. Guidance
requires more than prescribing a preguidance requires consideration of an
individuals personal situation, needs,
and passions. True mentors know
what motivates their mentees;
true mentors strive to build long-term
personal relationships and seek to
empower mentee decision-making,
holding the goals of their mentees
paramount to their own when
providing guidance. It has been said
that many can advise; but few can
mentor.

Become a leader
Calling all students interested
in becoming more involved in
organized emergency medicine!
Applications for EMRAs Medical
Student Council are due February 15.
More information can be found at
www.emra.org/students/medicalstudent-council.
December 2013/January 2014 | EM Resident 13

Resident
EM
Official Publication of the Emergency Medicine Residents Association
December 2013/January 2014
VOL 40 / ISSUE 5

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