MODEL Lead Showcase
Featuring Paul Wang, MD
April 30, 2024
Welcome to the inaugural edition of our MODEL Lead Showcase, part of a new monthly series featuring insightful perspectives from all seven lead MODEL mentors. This series is designed to highlight the experiences, insights, and contributions of the mentors leading the MODEL program.
The MODEL (Mentorship, Opportunity, Development, Empowerment, Leadership) program, initiated by the Department of Medicine, is a department-wide, cross-divisional, mentoring and development program specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the CE and UML faculty lines. Launched in January 2024, MODEL is championing a dynamic new mentoring culture across the department.
This April, we are pleased to spotlight MODEL Lead Paul Wang, MD. In addition to his dedicated work as a MODEL Lead, he is Director of the Stanford Cardiac Arrhythmia Service and Professor of Medicine and of Bioengineering (by courtesy).
Describe your mentoring style. What do you think are the most important attributes of a good mentor?
I think of myself as a guide, a Sherpa, helping the faculty determine where they want to go and helping them get there. I think that helping faculty in this way relies on a special kind of listening and communicating, creating a language and framework that both the mentor and mentee understand and desire.
Who was your most influential mentor, and what was the most important lesson you took away from that relationship?
My first boss as faculty definitely has been my most influential mentor and sponsor, and truly shaped my career.
He and I developed an unusual relationship, speaking nearly daily about what was happening in our clinical service and research. He was my greatest sponsor, opening doors that would never have opened otherwise.
He nominated me for national committees, speaking opportunities, and he supported my research and clinical ambitions.
He showed me the impact that a mentor and sponsor could have. The gratitude that I have will be eternal. I always say that what I have become and achieved is due to my mentor and sponsor.
My takeaway is that I need to do the same but also create a structure where this is the norm, we all support each other and provide opportunities for each – that is the community I would love for us to create – in my division, the department, throughout our school and university.
Why do you think it is important to establish and promote a culture of mentorship within the DoM? What might that look like when we are successful?
I am convinced that focusing on mentoring and sponsorship will change our culture significantly – we will all focus on how to care for our colleagues and we will all feel cared for. Those who mentor and sponsor others also gain an important sense of relevancy.
Please share a moment or experience in the MODEL program that significantly impacted you/was memorable.
One of my fellow MODEL Leads said that a 1:1 mentoring session with a cardiovascular medicine faculty member was the most impactful 45 minutes they had had since joining Stanford. I felt, maybe I can really have an impact in helping others too.
Where do you find the most joy in your work with the MODEL program?
It is the sense that I can both impact the lives of others but that they will in turn pass this on, in a never ending and exponential way.
"I am convinced that focusing on mentoring and sponsorship will change our culture significantly – we will all focus on how to care for our colleagues and we will all feel cared for. Those who mentor and sponsor others also gain an important sense of relevancy.
MODEL Program Leadership (left to right): Co-Directors Upinder Singh, MD, Kavitha Ramchandran, MD, Program Manager Rebecca Geraldi
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The Model Program
In the demanding world of healthcare, where the well-being of patients is paramount, it's often forgotten that the well-being of those who care for them — our physicians — is equally crucial. DoM has launched an innovative initiative known as the MODEL Program. This program aims to weave a stronger fabric of mentorship, development, and support within the department.