Mentors

A mentor recognizes our inate strengths and weaknesses. A mentor believes in our ability for greatness. A mentor guides, leads by example, and expects nothing less than the very best for his or her efforts.

I've been blessed with not one, but two beloved mentors whose watchful eyes shaped my early professional career. These two individuals affected, in major ways, the trajectory of my life and work. My mentors were the fertile soil on which my abilities took root and blossomed.  I owe them both a debt of  deep and sincere gratitude for the ways they shaped, encouraged, and supported me. Decades later, I  find myself approaching complex problems as my mentors would have. I pause to remember my roots. These are men I will never forget. 

That I never had a woman as mentor is telling and the subject, perhaps of a blog post along the way.


Thomas E. Andreoli, M.D. (1935-2009)

I first met Dr. Andreoli, the Chairman of Internal Medicine at UT Houston, as 24 year old senior in medical school. He interviewed me for a position in UT Houston's medical residency training program. From my early years as an intern and resident followed by a year as chief medical resident I learned the discipline of intellectural rigor, the power of observation, the importance of  respect and diligence to task. He was the man who selected me from among many qualified persons to serve as one of his chief residents. He was also the man who boldly told me, "Kate: you will be a Nephrologist."  Dr. Andreoli was the consumate Nephrologist himself; a scholar, researcher, clinician and teacher. He saw something in me that was worthy of the calling and I followed his lead, never looking back although I knew that had I changed my career path, he would have honored my decision. On the one hand, he could be an intimidating, demanding teacher but could as easily joke and laugh at himself as we, his pupils, dared to roast him at public events with all manner of skits, oftimes exaggerating his personal qualities and characteristics. Above all, this man extracted the best from those in his flock. We wouldn't think of giving any less.

 I last saw him at his retirement gala in 2004 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He passed away in 2009 unexpectedly and far too soon.  I miss him deeply and never felt that I told him how much he meant to me personally and professionally.



Edward Weinman, M.D.

Ed was the Division Director of Nephrology at UT Houston during my residency traning. Along with Dr. Andreoli, he encouraged me to subspecialize in Nephrology and in specific to train with him at UT Houston. This man is brilliant. His knowledge of the literature in Nephrology and Internal Medicine is phenomenal and his passion for teaching infectious. I could always count on his insights and pithy comments. His unique style and ability to inspire his trainees to be their best came from his "call it as it is" style. He didn't mince words. He literally forced me to write; case reports, review articles, and book chapters. He knew what was needed to mold a clinically oriented physician into an academic clinician worthy of promotion within the university system.  As a young faculty member, he never let me rest for long; there was always the next challenge to tackle. Ultimately, with his support, I was promoted to Associate Professor status in the Division of Nephrology. Without his kick butt, unrelenting pressure to move forward academically, this would never have happened.  He cared about my future and felt it was his responsibility to push me through doors that were barely open and guide me to the other side.

He is a man I have already thanked for his influence on my life.