What exactly do we mean by “cascading mentorship” and where does that fit into the Ladder? That phrase (hat-tip to University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science) captures the structure and spirit of the Ladder. On one hand, everyone who comes to the Ladder is able to benefit from the knowledge and wisdom of experienced professional health care providers:
Dr. Renee Crichlow demonstrating use of medical imaging in diagnosing brain tumors
This foundation of mentorship then “cascades” in that each member also serves as a mentor to those less experienced than he or she.
Cascading mentorship provides a framework where not only do knowledge and experience flow from the most senior to the most junior Ladder members, but younger members are individually empowered to share their own voices and experience with their peers and those scholars who in turn look up to them. The practice of cascading mentorship positions our young Ladder scholars to not be simply passive recipients of others’ knowledge, but to develop their own leadership skills and to “pay it forward” by mentoring others.
“Lift as you Climb, Build as you Grow”
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