The Meaning of Mentorship

Mentorship is, and always has been, a crucial component of the NLA. As a growing field, NLA members pride themselves on educating their fellow colleagues, reaching out to up-and-coming clinicians, and creating better health professionals for patients. Below you will find the experiences and thoughts of members on mentorship in the NLA:

“From its inception, the culture of the National Lipid Association has encouraged clinicians and scientists from many disciplines to talk with each other.  Our meetings are the perfect size for making connections. In addition, the collegiality of the organization makes it possible for people new to the field or to the NLA to have conversations with and ask questions of those of us who have been in lipidology and the organization for many years. This also fosters both formal and informal mentoring. At our sessions and social events, one can walk around with junior colleagues and introduce them to people in the field. Over the last several years, I have mentored Dr. Anandita Agarwala Kulkarni, who was a cardiology fellow at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Kulkarni has become a prominent member of the National Lipid Association and is currently serving on the board of directors of the Southwest Lipid Association. She is a rising star who has already participated in NLA webinars, abstract poster sessions, and as part of a Journal of Clinical Lipidology Round Table.  She is one of those people who accomplishes amazing things. I look forward to seeing her continue to present at meetings, serve on committees and boards, and make contributions to the Journal.”
– Anne C. Goldberg, MD, FNLA

“I am convinced that sharing our enthusiasm and knowledge with young trainees has an immense impact on their choice to include lipid management as part of their careers. Two of my former cardiology fellow trainees now are directors of lipid clinics at their institutions and active NLA participants. Our first Lipid Scholar recipient completed board certification by the end of his fellowship and is now in a Structural Heart Fellowship where he tells me that even the attendings ask for his lipid advice since he is the only expert at his institution. Five of our general cardiology fellows are planning to take the ABCL exam before they finish their fellowship and happily, two of them will be graduating this year and will remain in our healthcare system where their lipid skills will be put to work! There also has been great interest by the residents to rotate through the lipid clinic as word about it has spread. It has been very satisfying to see the intense interest that can be generated regarding our field when our trainees get a taste of something about which they have had little exposure in the past.”  
– Alan S. Brown, MD, FNLA

“I have had an amazing mentoring experience through the “Evidence-based Lipid Practice” (EBLP) course I teach at Idaho State University (ISU). I have offered the course each spring semester since 2019, which showcases many of my amazing NLA colleagues who graciously donate their time to guest lecture in the course. It has been incredible to see the spark of interest in Lipidology in the Health Sciences students as they take the course. Students are amazed by the science of Lipidology and the encouragement and collegiality of all of the guest lecturers. Two ISU Doctor of Nursing Practice students completed the EBLP course in Spring 2019 and, as a result, joined the NLA as associate trainee members and attended the Foundations of Lipidology course in May 2019. This spring semester, a PharmD student, Annie, is retaking the EBLP course because she was so intrigued by her introduction to Lipidology in Spring 2021. Annie recently joined the NLA as an associate member and is planning on submitting her application as a non-physician for the Lipid Scholarship Program. Many healthcare professionals join the NLA after they have established their clinical practices. Though the NLA welcomes members of diverse backgrounds and experiences, it is an honor to light a fire for Lipidology in these Health Sciences students and to introduce them to the NLA early in their careers. These future clinicians will carry Lipidology research and practice forward, as well as continue the mission and endeavors of the NLA.”  
– Carol Kirkpatrick, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLS, FNLA

“The NLA has been my ‘association home’ since 2006. From the first meeting where I had the opportunity to drink a coffee with Donald Hunninghake and learn lipoprotein physiology from Tom Dayspring to prodding from my work colleague/friend/mentor Joyce Ross to attend meetings, then the first invitation from Jamie Underberg to teach a class in Lipid Academy and so many other ‘invitations’ … I have felt so welcome. I have been lucky to be involved, to sit on committees with so many smart, kind, warm colleagues, to be mentored and to mentor others. Tom Haffey taught me how to manage conflict, Alan Brown has passed on his mother’s wisdom, Joe Saseen has taught me how to work in an organization and Carol Kirkpatrick continues to teach me how to ask questions. There are so many others worth mentioning and I am so glad to have the NLA. I cherish the opportunity to continue to teach others about lipids and lipoproteins, how to be a clinician, and how to play well with others. Thank you to the NLA for giving us a venue to share with others eager to teach and eager to learn. And special thank you to Allison Fellers Lowe for managing every crisis with aplomb and Brian Hart for keeping the ship steered in a sensible direction no matter the storm.”  
– Daniel E. Soffer, MD, FNLA

The NLA provides numerous opportunities for rising healthcare professionals to advance themselves in the field of lipidology, from reduced pricing for educational meetings, to providing scholarship programs, as well as mentorship programs. The lipidologists of today are eager to share their knowledge and connections for the betterment of their peers, as well as their patients. The NLA continuously evolves these programs and looks forward to offering more opportunities for those who, in time, will spearhead lipidology.