Presence: Never Face Obstacles Alone

Medical school is a challenging journey. It’s especially daunting if no one at your institution supports you or if people actively discourage you from pursuing your goals. 

When pathologist Dr. Vivian Pinn started medical school, she was passionate to learn medicine. But often, as the only African American woman in a world dominated by white men, she experienced pushback to her presence. In this episode, Dr. Pinn shares her story of how she responded to a lack of mentoring in school, how positive mentoring experiences can empower students’ independence, and how she’s working to ensure students and professionals never face obstacles alone.

Dr. Vivian Pinn is a distinguished pathologist, researcher, and administrator. She was the only woman and student of color in her class to earn an M.D. from the University of Virginia. Dr. Pinn taught at Harvard University and Tufts University before becoming Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology at Howard University in 1982. In 1991, Dr. Pinn became the founding director of the National Institute of Health’s Office of Research on Women’s Health, where she led the implementation of clinical research inclusion policies for women and people of color. In 1995, Dr. Pinn was elected into the National Academy of Medicine. 

To learn more about the Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM report, and for a guide to implementing best practices at your institution, visit NAS.edu/mentoring. 

Brought to you by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. 

Transcript