STORIES

Jasmine R. Marcelin, MD, FACP, FIDSA

Vice Chair, Equity and Inclusive Excellence, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine
Associate Professor, UNMC Division of Infectious Diseases
Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency
Associate Medical Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Reason for Attending
In my role as Associate Program Director of the UNMC Internal Medicine Residency, I meet regularly with residents to help them navigate day-to-day challenges. I would sometimes find myself jumping in and suggesting ways to solve their problems, so I wanted to improve my ability to support their growth and help them develop the skills to solve their problems on their own.

 

Why Core Skills for Coaching: Academic Medical Centers
The UNMC Director of Faculty Development and my Department Chair both recommended the program to me as an opportunity to develop the skills to better guide my residents on their journeys. I liked that the program focused on transferrable skills that I could apply in my current role and for future leadership roles. It’s not just for people who want to become coaches.

 

Impact
Since attending Core Skills for Coaching, I’ve noticed a real difference in how I approach conversations with my residents. I realized that I was already employing some of the skills but prior to the course I did not have the words to name what I was doing. Now, I’m a lot more comfortable sitting back and just listening to what they have to say, asking probing questions, and trying to get to the “what” of their concerns, and the “why” behind their feelings. I have tools and questions I can use to help them, and I’m no longer solving problems for them. They’re working through their issues just by talking things out with me.

The Core Skills for Coaching experience was also the first time I had been on the receiving end of a coaching relationship. I really connected with my mentor coach and continued meeting with her after the program to work through some career transitions I was experiencing at the time. Being coached might not be for everyone, but it’s something I will always tell folks to consider if they’re wrestling with particularly troublesome decisions or issues.

I have no doubt I made the right decision by attending Core Skills for Coaching. I would tell anyone who might be hesitant about the experience that if your role has anything to do with developing people, then you will gain very useful skills from this program.