Mentorship: Why it Matters

Alyssa DeCarlo, MS, OTR/L, MSCS, CSRS, LSVT

Mentorship can be viewed, felt, provided, and/or received in many different ways. By definition, mentorship is “the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor,” according to Merriam Webster. However, what that definition lacks is effectively demonstrating that mentorship itself is a powerful, living being that evolves based on the people and content involved. 

Mentorship has been utilized as an effective training tool for centuries and has led to some amazing advancements that are utilized or seen in our world every day including: innovations in automotive transportation that Thomas Edison supported Henry Ford in the production of, Clive Davis’s influence and support to pull Whitney Houston from the background to center stage and ultimately become one the most undeniable voices of our lifetime, the development of FaceBook thanks to the mentorship that Steve Jobs provided to a young Mark Zuckerberg in his early launch of the social media platform, the currently greatest reigning football dynasty of all time with Tom Brady’s impressive 6 Super Bowl wins from 2002-2019 under the guidance of Bill Belichick, and countless others that have forged our paths forward today. 

Mentorship that is effectively executed by pairing the expertise of the mentor to the needs of the mentee with careful consideration of interpersonal dynamics can change the future on a personal level, a professional one, or even on a global stage. As we enter a tumultuous time in healthcare, the networks we build and create intraprofessionally have the power to ensure OTPs are working at the top of their licenses with the latest evidence-based practice and solidify the unique value OTPs play in the rehabilitative care of our aging medically complex population. 

Will you rise to the call to become a part of the OOTA Mentorship Committees’ mission to facilitate meaningful connections that promote professional and personal growth, support new practitioners, cultivate future leaders, and strengthen the Ohio OT community? Well, now is your chance as we launch the first cohort of the Mentorship Program! Here is a sneak peak of what to look forward to as part of this amazing program: