Celebrating 25 Years of Connection in the Women’s Mentoring Program

Faculty members reflect on how a supportive community established by Drs. Jean Regal, Lois Heller and Barbara Elliot in the year 2000 continues to help women navigate their careers in science and medicine.

The University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, has long been a hub for rural health education and scientific discovery. Yet, behind the lectures and laboratory research lies a quieter, equally transformative force: the Women’s Mentoring Program. As the program marks its 25th anniversary, its members are reflecting on the profound impact the program has had on their careers and lives.

When Jean Regal, PhD first arrived on campus in 1981, the landscape for women in science was sparse. "I was in a Department of Pharmacology at that time here. There were five faculty, and I was the only woman." Navigating this environment required resilience and a vision for change. Dr. Regal notes that while the era was modernizing, the university "still had a long way to go in terms of the rules of engagement."

Recognizing the need for support, Dr. Regal collaborated across departments with colleagues Barbara Elliot, PhD and Lois Heller, PhD to establish a mentoring group designed to offer guidance distinct from administrative supervision. “The program was designed to give faculty that identify as women that informal advice from somebody who does not sign their paycheck." This independence allows mentors to prioritize the individual faculty member’s growth over departmental demands. “You need someone who can look at a request to that faculty member independent of what the department needs, but solely in terms of what the person needs."

For members like Brenna Greenfield, PhD, this resource has been indispensable. "I have been a member of the Women's Mentoring Program for a decade. It has been an essential ingredient in my ability to obtain tenure and advance from assistant to associate professor." She emphasizes the practical value of the sessions, where she received creative tips from visiting academics about how to navigate professional spaces that weren't created for women.

Catherine McCarty, PhD echoes this sentiment. "It feels comforting, safe, and supportive to walk into that space." She appreciates how the group bridges the Medical School and the College of Pharmacy, creating a unique interdisciplinary community. "This provides the opportunity to hear from other women in adjacent health care fields and has spawned friendships and collaborations that might not have happened otherwise."

The meetings provide a rare opportunity for faculty to step away from their daily obligations and connect on a personal level. Dr. Greenfield notes that the atmosphere is joyful. "We laugh and enjoy food together." This sense of community remains vital even for experienced faculty members. Dr. McCarty emphasizes that the need for guidance does not end with tenure. "We all need mentors, no matter the stage of our career, and it is always good to hear from others."

Today, the program endures through what Dr. Regal describes as "persistence in keeping it organized" and a shared sense of community. Now run by director Sara Zimmer, PhD, It remains a space where rank and department dissolve, allowing for genuine connection. "Sometimes,” she says, “this is the only time I have real conversations with  people from the other departments." 

As Dr. McCarty summarizes, the mission for the next generation is clear: "Find a mentor, be a mentor."