Mentorship
Looking for guidance to start or advance a career in pediatric neurosurgery?Join our ISPN Mentorship Program
In 2024 ISPN announced the launch of our ISPN mentorship program with esteemed Pediatric Neurosurgeons under the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Mentorship Committee.
The first cohort was open to ISPN student & candidate members, who had the ultimate opportunity to be guided by renowned neurosurgeons as they pursue a career in the field of pediatric neurosurgery.
For Mentees
Who can become a Mentee?
Every student, trainee, nurse or early and mid-career neurosurgeon who is passionate about pursuing a career in pediatric neurosurgery can apply for the program.
Your mentor will share his/her experience in clinical practice, research, or academia. ISPN is committed to develop the skills and careers of the next generation of pediatric neurosurgeons.
Join the program as a Mentee if:
- You are an ISPN member in good standing, and
- You are an early or mid-career pediatric neurosurgeon (5 to 10 years in career), or
- You are a neurosurgery trainee/resident considering pediatric neurosurgery as a career, or
- You are a medical student considering neurosurgery/pediatric neurosurgery as a career, or
- You are a nursing professional.
Mentees should be willing:
- To actively participate in mentoring activities and maintain open communication with their mentors.
- To report on their progress yearly to the Mentorship Committee. Reports should be sent by e-mail at the end of each calendar year; referral e-mail address: ispnmentorship@gmail.com.
For Mentors
Who can become a Mentor?
- You are an ISPN member in good standing.
- You are a consultant / attending 5+ years in pediatric neurosurgery
- You are willing to help shape the future of pediatric neurosurgery globally by mentoring students, trainees, nurses and/or young professionals.
- You can support your mentee at least 1 calendar year from the start of mentorship and you will report on your mentee’s progress yearly at the end of mentorship
The role of the Mentor will be:
- Help younger trainees to better understand Pediatric Neurosurgery practice in order for them to take into consideration Pediatric Neurosurgery as their interest in the clinical practice
- Guide nurses, more experienced residents and early- and mid-career neurosurgeons in their way to improve their practice in a specific field of interest in Pediatric Neurosurgery
Mentors will support Mentees through:
- Spending at least 1 hour with their mentees quarterly on an online platform or more often as they see appropriate or plan with their mentee
- Providing them with educational material (i.e. scientific publications)
- Updating them on Educational Courses and/or Fellowship programs at their Institution or connected Pediatric Neurosurgery Centers
- Sharing with them cases they admit to their Institution
- Educating them in the process of preparation of a scientific publication
- Introducing them inside the ISPN and other Pediatric Neurosurgery Societies they take part to
- Keeping communication open for continuous professional development
- Meeting with their mentees at the ISPN Annual Meeting if they are both attending.
How to apply
To become a Mentee > please send your CV and a brief statement about your clinical and/or research interest, why you wish to join the program and what you expect to gain from it.
This information is to be sent to ispnmentorship@gmail.com.
To become an ISPN Mentor > please send your bio-sketch (main CV details and link to publications) with a note on your main areas of interest in Pediatric Neurosurgery to ispnmentorship@gmail.com.
Application deadline
To ensure successful participation in the upcoming mentorship cycle (starting October 2025), we encourage you to submit your application before the end of August 2025 to ensure the matching process is complete by the end of September 2025.
If you will be attending the ISPN Annual Meeting in Lyon (October 2025), you will have the opportunity to meet your mentor/mentee there.
Program duration
One calendar year after the official start.
We look forward to welcoming you to our team.
For more information, please get in touch with us at ispnmentorship@gmail.com.
