A look back at diversity through friendship and mentorship.
I was recently asked to be on a panel for Catalyst on the topic of Diversity and Mentorship. The true question the panelists were asked to address was, "How were you able to mentor a person of a different color, race, or ethnic origin." I immediately started thinking about my relationship with Ruth, an African American nurse, turned nurse executive, consultant, board member of Ancilla Healthcare System, and now President and CEO of Memorial Health System. I knew I had to get Ruth's perspective to make my comments meaningful. The presentation triggered both Ruth's and my memories about why and how our relationship began. It also cemented the reasons why we have a friendship today. I do not know how many take the time to reflect on the people who have made a difference to them, how relationships over time change, and how to cherish the realities of how much help we receive from our friends and mentors over time. We both feel lucky to have had the opportunity to reflect how the past has bridged to the present in term of our friendship.
Health Advisory Practice, One North Wacker Ave., Chicago, IL, USA. carolyn.smeltzer@us.pwc.com
Carolyn Hope
CH
Smeltzer
Ruth W
RW
Brinkley
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000416:Alberta; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology*; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004645:Empathy; D033062:Friends / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology*; D015144:Southeastern United States