Kirby Gross (Mentor) and Dr. Valerie Sams (Mentee)

The EAST Mentoring Section is proud to introduce the third "Featured EAST Mentoring Pair", congratulations to Dr. Kirby Gross, MD (Mentor) and Dr. Valerie Sams , MD(Mentee)!  

Both are military service members.  Valerie is a member of the Air Force; Kirby is a member of the Army.

Since formalization of the EAST Mentoring Program in 2012, 88 Mentoring Pairs have participated.

Seven Mentees have been active duty military; five Mentors have been active duty military.  In three Pairs, both Mentee and Mentor have been active duty military.  An additional eight Mentors have been reserve military or former military.  In two Pairs, active duty military has matched with reserve military or former military.

Drs. Gross and Sams had the chance to meet in person, see a photo snapped below and see what they have to say regarding their mentorship and the EAST Mentoring Program.

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What prompted your interest in the EAST Mentoring Program?

Kirby: Several mentors had a significant impact on my career development – both clinically and militarily.  In an effort to offer facilitate the growth of the next generation of surgeons, I offered to serve as a Mentor.  Civilian and military surgeons face many of the same challenges; however, some challenges are unique to the military health care system.  I specifically offered to mentor a junior military surgeon.

Valerie: I have always felt mentorship is a necessary part of both personal and professional development. While I am prior service and not necessarily new to the Air Force or to the joint military environment, I did transition to the medical corps as a trauma fellow. I felt the EAST Mentoring Program provided me with the opportunity to connect with a senior military member who could help me navigate this transition and assist with career decisions.

Did you find your experience rewarding?

Kirby:  Yes; our interaction focused on career advice and decisions.  I was able to provide background and insight into decision makers involved. 

Valerie: This has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. Dr. Gross not only provided excellent insight into some of the choices I was facing as both an active duty trauma surgeon and becoming faculty at a teaching institution.  As I worked with my Air Force consultant to find the right fit for me in the military system, whether that would have been here at SAMMC or moving to one of our civilian partnership academic institutions, it was wonderful to have Dr. Gross available to provide his thoughts and advice.

Any general comments?

Kirby:  All members of EAST have been Mentees and Mentors at some point in our career.  Typically, the Mentee – Mentor relationship develops informally within an institution.  The EAST Mentoring Program provides an opportunity for exposure to Mentors without limit to location.  Mentees have the opportunity to inform the Mentoring Program as to which area of their professional career they seek a Mentor; research, work-life balance, career development for example.  The EAST Mentorship Program seeks to match Mentees with Mentors based upon their interests.

Valerie:  While our relationship has been focused primarily on my career development, Dr. Gross has remained supportive of my clinical research efforts and involvement in academic societies and organizations. I think this program is invaluable for young surgeons on many levels and fully support the efforts EAST and the mentors are making to ensure that it remains a high quality program.

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Statements posted are those of the Mentor and Mentee and do not represent the opinions of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.