McMahon Shares Career Development Tips for Medical Educators

Graham McMahon, of BWH Endocrinology, presents “Developing Your Career as a Medical Educator” in the Shapiro Breakout Room as part of the Department of Medicine’s Faculty Career Development Seminar series.

BWH associate physician Graham McMahon, MD, MMSc, knew early on that his particular path in medicine would consist of healthy doses of both clinical practice and education.

"I have always been a keen observer of teachers and extremely engaged with educational development," said McMahon, who is the medical education editor of the New England Journal of Medicine. "I am interested in taking the road less traveled."

McMahon earned his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and a doctorate in education from the National University of Ireland. He subsequently completed his residency and endocrinology fellowship at BWH, and earned a master's degree in clinical research from Harvard University.

As a firm believer in people's power to forge their own career identities, it's no wonder that McMahon was asked to present "Developing Your Career as a Medical Educator" early this month as part of the Department of Medicine's Faculty Career Development Seminar series, held in the Shapiro Breakout Room.

"You can create new career opportunities and open doors through volunteering," said McMahon. "Opportunities beget themselves; you have to be an academic entrepreneur."

McMahon reflected on strategies for physicians who seek to integrate medical education activities into their academic and clinical careers, elaborating on 10 key concepts for medical educators:

1)    Let your peers know of your interests. You won't be asked to collaborate on teaching projects if others don't know you're interested.

2)    Identify and nurture mentor relationships. Your mentor doesn't need to be in your discipline, but remember that it's your job to maintain the relationship.

3)    Learn your craft by reading the relevant journals and educating yourself.

4)    Be a role model in clinical care. Develop an expertise or niche.

5)    Say ‘yes' to most invitations, and approach teaching opportunities and projects as innovatively as possible.

6)    Be deliberate and plan projects carefully.

7)    Make time to reflect, and if you can, to write. Writing creates discipline.

8)    Learn the concrete steps to advancement.

9)    Be visible by publishing your work and participating on committees.

10) Develop your portfolio.

TK

The Faculty Career Development Seminar series is part of the Department of Medicine's commitment to supporting career development and academic advancement among its large and diverse faculty community. It is a program of the department's Faculty Development Office, led by Vice Chair for Faculty Development Ellen Seely, MD.