The ISTH Mentor-Mentee Match program is built on the foundation of collaboration in the My ISTH Community. We seek to create opportunities for members to find international mentors, mentees and collaborators throughout their careers.

This MMM program runs throughout the year with a voluntary enrollment period of May 15-July 31, which gives our participants the opportunity to meet or seek out their mentor/mentee in person at the annual ISTH Congress.

Enroll here or read more details below:

How the matching process works:
Members who enroll will have their mentor profiles posted on my.isth.org. Mentees may view all mentor profiles and then choose the mentor they feel has the skills and interests they are most closely aligned with. Once the match has been confirmed with the mentor, mentees will be notified and then make initial contact with their mentor. It’s important to note that mentor/mentee matches do not need to be based on geography because virtual relationships are encouraged.

After a connection is made, the ISTH recommends that mentoring relationships last for six hours of active mentoring time, or about one hour every month for six months. Read more below for further details:

What is a mentor?
Mentors are ISTH members looking for a way to give back to the thrombosis and hemostasis community. Perhaps you had a great mentor and want to pay it forward. Maybe you wish you had someone to guide you along the way and want to offer that to someone else. Maybe you want to get more involved in ISTH programs to enhance an SSC Chair or Co-chair application. The MMM program is a great opportunity to make connections with early career scientists and clinicians who could become a Reach-the-World or Training fellow. You could even opt to host them for in-person training at your institution through an ISTH or other fellowship program. That fellow can then take the knowledge bestowed upon them by you back to their home country and improve patient care or clinical research.  You could also establish an international research project with your mentee and their institution. 

What makes a good mentor?

• Teaching and advising are a mentor’s role.
• Willing to share their expertise and wisdom—not an “information-hoarder.”
• Confidentiality—both parties need to feel confident that discussions remain private.
• Being open-minded and respectful of others.

What is a mentee?
Mentees are ISTH members who may need advice or guidance about your career, leadership skills, research, publications, or clinical care for coagulation disorders. Navigating your professional development can be challenging as the field changes. Maybe you are looking for international partners to build and share knowledge through fellowship exchanges, research projects or through informal information sharing. ISTH offers two fellowship programs (Reach-the-World and Training) specifically designed to bring mentors and mentees around the world together to share knowledge and initiate collaborations.

Perhaps you just need advice about work/life balance or advancing your career where you are. A mentor can help work you through your goals and gain valuable skills in a one-on-one format, providing support that will help you achieve your next step. While we can never guarantee that a mentor mentee relationship will result in a fellowship or a publication, it is a great way to build international connections that can enhance your career and advance research and clinical care in thrombosis and hemostasis. Young professionals who are ready to commit to their professional development will have the chance to grow into proven, reliable future leaders in their field.

What makes a good mentee?

• Learning and growing are the mentee’s role. However, this relationship can and should be reciprocal. A good mentee should also be willing and able to share their expertise in areas their mentor may not be as knowledgeable in, such as a new technology and trending industry issues.
• Confidentiality—both parties need to feel confident that discussions remain private.
• Being open-minded to receiving direction and instruction and be respectful of their mentor.

 How do I sign up?

The enrollment period opens May 15, 2024 and ends on July 31, 2024. Enrollment has ended, but you can view more information here.  Once enrolled, you can search for potential matches and message mentors/mentees to see if you are the right match. The relationship then moves forward at the pace you set with your match partner. 

What should I expect from participating?
The ISTH hopes that through this relationship, you can gain valuable insight and understanding. Most mentoring relationships devote at least one hour per month to meet in-person or online. 

How long does a mentoring relationship last?
This is mostly a decision to be made by mentors/mentees themselves, but the ISTH recommends you engage with at least six hours of active mentoring time. Timing varies based on availability and the goals of the relationship. When the next enrollment period begins, the official Mentor-Mentee Match relationships will end in our system so that mentors and mentees can engage with new participants. However, we hope these relationships last for many years as the mentee develops their knowledge base and begins to explore the field of thrombosis and hemostasis.

Does my match need to be local?
No! As we are an international society, we encourage relationships across borders with different cultures around the world. You may be surprised how well diverse perspectives can lend to the discovery of new solutions. We hope you will be able to meet in person at a future ISTH Congress, but meeting in-person is not necessary for a successful match. Remember: you could potentially match with a current or future superstar in thrombosis and hemostasis!

The enrollment period ended on July 31, 2024. Enrollment has ended, but you can view more information here.