News
Celebrating the Success of Our 2024 Mentorship Program, By: Raben Talvo, FACHE
It was a night to remember as eight mentors and eight mentees successfully culminated the 2024 National Capital Healthcare Executives (NCHE) Mentorship Program. This transformative journey began in October 2023 and concluded in May 2024, fostering growth, development, and invaluable connections.
Mentors and Mentees
The program's strength lies in its diverse and accomplished participants. This year’s graduates include:
2023-2024 NCHE Mentorship Program Graduates
● Karan Kaushal, MHA, CSM - PMO Consultant, Public Health, Guidehouse
○ Mentor: Michael Urgel, RN, CPHQ, PMP, CPDHTS - Founder and CEO, Lumago Professional Services
● Alyssa Dobiyanski, MHSA - Administrative Fellow, HCA Healthcare
○ Mentor: Shari Silverman, MPT, OCS, FACHE, PMP - Chief, Strategic Integration Group, Defense Health Agency
● Kashif Khan, MHA - Senior Consultant, Alvarez & Marsal
○ Mentor: John Dailey, JD, FACHE - SVP, Network Development, Genie Health
● Megan Maxwell, EMBA - Strategic Workforce Analyst, Defense Health Agency
○ Mentor: Rajat Mehra, MBA, OTR - Service Line Director, Orthopedics & PMR, Fauquier Health
● Tyler Maxwell, MBA, MS, FACHE - Senior Operations Officer, Defense Health Agency
○ Mentor: Tyrell Schoolfield, MBA, PMI-ACP - Management Analyst, Strategic Execution, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
● Angad Buttar, MHA - Senior Director, State Engagement, Shatterproof
○ Mentor: Erin Hodson, MSN - VP, Revenue Cycle, Inova Health
● Saisha Adhikari, MPH - Healthcare Management Graduate, Boston University
○ Mentor: Dr. Andrea Boudreaux, MPH, FACHE - Chief Executive Officer, Children’s School Services
● Jewel Beharry-Diaz, RN, MBA - Director, Clinical Research, Twin Health
○ Mentor: Amy Smiley, MBA, MSW, FACHE - Chief Executive Officer, Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute
The diversity of this year's cohort underscores the inclusive spirit of NCHE, with participants bringing varied experiences from different sectors of healthcare. This blend of backgrounds and perspectives enriches the program, fostering an environment where both mentors and mentees can learn from each other.
Key Takeaways from Mentees
Reflecting on their mentorship experience, several mentees shared their profound insights:
"I was thankful to have the space to talk through my confusion and challenges in my career path options."
"Leaders in my organization have recognized my shift and have commented on my growth."
"I am more confident, speak up a lot more, and share my opinions in meetings."
"I volunteered as a panel speaker at a Women in Business Conference at George Washington University. I could not have imagined doing something like that in the past."
"We discussed my goals with networking and preparing for my military retirement."
These testimonials highlight the program's impact on their professional and personal development, demonstrating the true value of mentorship. Mentees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gain clarity in their career paths, increase their visibility within their organizations, and build confidence in their abilities. The program has empowered them to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges.
In-Person Education Event
Following the mentorship graduation, attendees transitioned to an in-person education offering. Moderated by Jim Ramsey, and featuring Shari Silverman, Blas Brown Jr., and Dr. Andrea Boudreaux as panelists, the session covered a range of pertinent topics:
- Finding and fostering relationships with mentors and mentees.
- The benefits and distinctions between mentorship and sponsorship.
- The critical role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in mentorship.
The panelists shared their experiences and insights, offering practical advice on navigating the mentorship process. Dr. Boudreaux emphasized the importance of not selling yourself short and encouraged participants to recognize their worth and potential, especially in a room of detractors who may not support a culture and environment of growth. Blas Brown Jr. spoke about the dangers of self-imposed biases and guardrails, urging mentees to approach mentorship with an open mind and a willingness to grow. He also provided a powerful analogy, describing mentorship as a seed planted in a dark place that eventually blossoms, symbolizing the growth and potential unlocked through mentorship. Shari Silverman brought up the intersectionality of mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship, and the importance of differentiating mentorship as an objective method to empowering one’s development on their career and growth journey.
Questions from the audience spurred dynamic discussions on themes such as imposter syndrome and self-empowerment. The panelists addressed the challenges of feeling like an outsider in professional settings and offered strategies for overcoming self-doubt. They stressed the importance of seeking out supportive networks and mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement.
Gratitude and Future Opportunities
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our industry leaders for their unwavering support of this program, which is instrumental in developing the next generation of healthcare leaders. We are proud of the achievements of this year’s graduates and look forward to seeing the impact they will have on the healthcare industry. Special recognition goes to our dedicated Mentorship Committee: Aparna Gupta, Jim Ramsey, Michael Urgel, Amy Smiley, Shari Silverman, and Blas Brown Jr.
As we look forward to the future, we are excited to announce that applications for the 2024-2025 Mentorship Program will open in August 2024. We encourage you to pay it forward by sharing your time, expertise, and experiences, fostering the leaders of tomorrow in this dynamic world of healthcare. We hope you will consider joining us for the next cycle of the mentorship program, whether as a mentor or mentee. For questions about the program, please contact Aparna Gupta at [email protected].
