In Good Company: The Power of Academic Mentorship

The Path to Deanship

Podcast Episode Description: In this inspiring episode of Journey Into Academia, hosts explore the path to institutional leadership with two accomplished leaders in ophthalmology and medical education: Dr. Susan Culican and Dr. Misha Syed. Together, they share candid stories about navigating academia, overcoming challenges, building mentorship networks, and stepping into influential leadership roles at the institutional level. From residency program leadership to serving in dean-level positions, the conversation dives into the realities of academic medicine, the importance of advocacy and innovation, and how ophthalmologists can shape the future of medical education beyond their specialty. Dr. Culican and Dr. Syed also discuss the power of mentorship, the challenges women leaders continue to face in medicine, and why understanding your own strengths is key to building a meaningful leadership journey. Whether you are an aspiring educator, residency leader, department chair, or future dean, this episode offers valuable insight into leadership growth, institutional impact, and creating lasting change in academic medicine.

Vision to Venture: Turning Academic Discovery Into Real-World Eye Care Innovation

In this episode of WPO – Journey Into Academia, we welcome Dr. Lama Al-Aswad, a national leader at the intersection of ophthalmology, technology, and population health. Dr. Al-Aswad is a glaucoma specialist, professor of ophthalmology and engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, and a pioneer in teleophthalmology, artificial intelligence, and innovative care delivery models designed to prevent blindness and improve access to eye care. Her career bridges academic medicine, technology innovation, and entrepreneurship, bringing groundbreaking ideas from research to real-world impact. In this conversation, Dr. Al-Aswad shares how frustration with late-stage glaucoma diagnoses sparked a mission to transform how eye care is delivered. Through mobile screening programs, telemedicine initiatives, and eye care technology startups, she has worked to empower patients and improve early detection of vision-threatening diseases. The discussion explores how clinicians can turn scientific discovery into scalable solutions that improve patient outcomes worldwide. Key Takeaways * What inspired Dr. Al-Aswad to pursue academic medicine * The challenges of glaucoma detection and why patients often present too late * How teleophthalmology and AI are reshaping eye care delivery * The role of entrepreneurship in accelerating medical innovation * Building successful teams and bringing collaborators along your journey * How academic rigor and startup agility complement one another * Training the next generation through ophthalmology innovation fellowships * Why the future of medicine will require clinicians to understand AI, big data, and digital health

In Good Company: The Power of Academic Mentorship

In this episode of WPO Journey into Academia, hosts Thasarat and Cat explore the profound impact of mentorship in academic medicine, particularly in the field of neuro-ophthalmology. They are joined by Dr. Heather Moss and Dr. Kimberly Winges, who share their personal journeys, the evolution of their mentor-mentee relationship, and the importance of building trust and connection. The conversation highlights the bi-directional nature of mentorship, the lessons learned from each other, and the significance of visibility and networking in fostering meaningful professional relationships. Both guests also discuss their roles in promoting women's leadership in medicine and offer valuable advice for those seeking to cultivate mentorships in their own careers. Takeaways * Mentorship is a powerful force in academic medicine. * The mentor-mentee relationship is bi-directional. * Building trust is essential for effective mentorship. * Visibility and participation in committees enhance networking. * Sponsorship is as important as mentorship. * Academic medicine offers diverse opportunities for growth. * Personal connections can lead to professional advancements. * Women in medicine need supportive networks. * Negotiation should be based on data and logic. * Mentorship can come from various fields, not just your own.

From Vision to Impact

In this episode of Journey into Academia, we explore Vision to Impact, highlighting how powerful ideas can grow into lasting change in ophthalmology education and research. The hosts are joined by two inspiring leaders: Dr. Bonnie Henderson, clinical professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and founder of the Envision Summit, and Dr. Barbara Blodi, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin and longtime director of the Wisconsin Reading Center. Together, they share their personal journeys into academia, the challenges and opportunities women face in leadership, and how passion, mentorship, and teamwork can transform ideas into influential programs. From empowering women in eye care to advancing global retinal clinical trials and imaging innovation, this conversation offers meaningful insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking to make an impact in academic medicine. Key Takeaways * Career paths in academia are rarely linear—growth comes from passion and persistence. * Big ideas create impact when action and leadership follow. * Representation and access are essential for meaningful progress. * Mentorship plays a critical role at every career stage. * Strong teams are the foundation of lasting success. * Fresh leadership keeps programs innovative and sustainable. * There is never a perfect time—say yes to opportunity. * Balance and boundaries are key to long-term fulfillment.

Lean in

In this episode of the WPO Journey into Academia podcast, hosts Cat Burkat and Thasarat engage in a profound conversation with Dr. Sonal Tuli and Dr. Carla Siegfried about the importance of support systems for women in academic ophthalmology. They share their personal journeys, the challenges they faced, and how they built networks of mentorship and support. The discussion highlights the evolution of these relationships over time, the loneliness that can accompany leadership roles, and the significance of offering support to others during tough moments. The episode serves as a reminder that no one walks this road alone and that leadership is as much about giving support as it is about receiving it. Key Takeaways: * Both speakers emphasize the importance of mentorship in their careers. * Perseverance and grit are essential traits for success in academia. * Building a network of mentors can significantly impact one's career trajectory. * Support systems evolve over time and can come from peers as well as senior mentors. * Communication and transparency are vital in leadership roles. * Feeling lonely in leadership is common, but finding peer groups can help. * Listening and being present for colleagues in distress is crucial. * Women in leadership may hesitate to make tough decisions, but collaboration can ease this process. * Offering help without overstepping boundaries is important in supporting others. * Leadership involves both giving and receiving support.