Developing Authentic Mentorship Through Professional Organizations

Abstract

Harsh realities in pandemic fatigue, burnout, inequities, and isolation are impacting academic pharmacy. Mentoring programs, especially inter-institutional programs like those provided within the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), may help combat some of these issues. Unfortunately, year after year, academy members continue to request information on mentoring, whether it be the opportunity to pair up, advice on how to be better at it, or guidance on how to develop a program on mentoring. The need for authentic mentoring is vital to the success and retention of faculty and staff to the academy. Therefore, it’s time for us to take a closer look at why, despite on-going mentoring programs scattered within AACP Sections and Special Interest Groups, these programs are unable to fulfill the needs of participants.