Mentorship Program

The GHD is committed to providing opportunities for professional development in the field of global health. Our mentorship program is suited for Canadian physiotherapists interested in working with, researching, or assisting programs and policies for marginalized populations in Canada and around the world.

“Having someone to ask questions about how I can shape my future career goals is very helpful.”

The goal of the Mentorship Program is to enable a process whereby an experienced, knowledgeable, empathetic person (the Mentor) guides another individual (the Mentee) in the development and re-examination of their own ideas, learning, and personal as well as professional growth in the area of global health. While mentorship can evolve informally, the GHD is striving to create a formal mentorship program, not to be confused with coaching or teaching that involves passive transfer of information/guidance from mentor to mentee. Mentorship, instead, involves collaboration and reflection via facilitated guidance from the mentor.

This program runs over the course of 1 year (usually from fall to summer) and generally involves monthly meetings via phone, Skype, or in-person, as determined by each mentor-mentee pair.

“The greatest benefit for me thus far has been in terms of networking and making connections with others involved with global health work.” 

 

Considering Becoming a Mentor?

You may wish to participate as a mentor if, for example:

• You are passionate about global health, are responsible, and have strong active listening skills.
• You have experience working internationally and/or in humanitarian crises, such as conflict and disaster.
• You have experience working in rural/remote/Northern communities and/or with Indigenous people and communities, in Canada or abroad.
• You have experience working with other vulnerable/marginalized populations in Canada or abroad, such as refugees.
• You have experience with disability and/or public health policy, procedures, and programs.
• You participated in a global health/international clinical placement as a physiotherapy student and wish to mentor other students interested in doing the same.

“These interactions inspired me to reconsider issues and also to research some answers.”

 

Considering Becoming a Mentee?

You may wish to participate as a mentee if, for example:

• You are passionate about global health, wish to enhance or challenge your knowledge, skills and attitudes, and/or wish to improve your network of like-minded individuals.
• You are interested in working internationally and/or in humanitarian crises, such as conflict and disaster.
• You are interested in working in rural/remote/Northern communities and/or with Indigenous people and communities, in Canada or abroad.
• You are interested in working with other vulnerable/marginalized populations in Canada or abroad, such as refugees.
• You are interested in disability and/or public health policy.
• You are a physiotherapy student interested in pursuing a global health/international clinical placement.

“The mentorship program was helpful in that it enabled me to meet, network and support a young PT.”

Please send us your questions or expression of interest in participating as a mentor or mentee at ghdresearch@gmail.com.