February 18, 2025 • 37 mins
You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!
In our latest episode, Kemi sit down with Dr. Sharon Onguti, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she has served since 2022. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, she completed her fellowship at UT Health San Antonio and a sub-fellowship in Antimicrobial Stewardship at Stanford University.
Dr. Onguti holds an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is a board member of the Society of Bedside Medicine, she is dedicated to medical education and serves as Associate Program Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program. She is also is an alumnus of our Get That Grant® coaching program!
Join the conversation as Dr. Onguti shares her remarkable journey in medicine, highlighting her innovative use of AI in healthcare.
Highlights:
- Discover how she navigates multiple roles and responsibilities while finding clarity and focus through coaching.
- The importance of aligning your career with personal values and interests.
- Why regular reflection and inventory of your activities help ensure alignment with long-term goals.
- Insights on cultivating a high-functioning support network and redefining mentorship to propel your career forward.
Loved this convo? Please go find Dr. Onguti on LinkedIn and Twitter/X show her some love!
If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations.
And if you’re also a high-achieving WOC facing these challenges and seeking to navigate your path more effectively, Get That Grant is here to support you! Join the waitlist for our April 2025 Get That Grant cohort! Enrollment for the April cohort is exclusive to our waitlist, so sign up now to take the first step toward turning your aspirations into reality. Applications will be sent directly to the waitlist on Monday, February 17.
Sign up for the waitlist now at www.kemidoll.com/gtgwaitlist
REMINDER: Your Unapologetic Career Podcast now releases episode every other week! Can't wait that long? Be sure you are signed up for our newsletter (above) where there are NEW issues every month!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_03 (00:00):
Y'all, first of all, go back and listen to all that
again, before you listen toanything I say, stop right now
and go rewind and listen to thatanswer from Sharon, because you
have everything in that answerright there.
First of all, number one, havingthe purpose mantra written,
going through the process thatwe take people through really,
you know, we kind of work it,you know, we want to make sure
that it makes sense, et cetera.
It really resonates with you.
(00:21):
That allowed you to actuallyshift into a totally different
kind of way that you're lookingfor opportunities to come to
you.
So All of a sudden you have thisnew lens so that you're like,
okay, now I know what I reallywant.
So I'm even searching different.
I'm looking differently now thatI realize what I want.
And then because that's nowformed within you, you're like,
(00:44):
I don't even know how todescribe it.
It's just like, I saw thisopportunity and I was like, this
one is it.
Like, this is clearly mirroringall these things I put together.
And then when you write it, itjust flows.
Hello.
Hello, you are listening to yourunapologetic career.
(01:05):
Being a woman of color facultyin academic medicine who wants
to make a real difference withyour career can be tough.
Listen, these systems are notbuilt for us, but that doesn't
mean we can't make them work forus.
In each episode, I'll be takinga deep dive into one core growth
strategy so you can gainconfidence and effectiveness in
(01:26):
pursuing the dream career youworked so hard to achieve.
I'll see you next time.
(02:02):
Welcome back to the show.
I'm so excited that you pressedplay on this episode because we
are speaking to another Get ThatGrant recent graduate.
No matter how many of theseinterviews I do, I have such a
good time with them becauseeverybody has a unique flavor to
their journey.
And I can't express to you howodd but beautiful it is to see
(02:25):
people experiencing thecurriculum and like the whole
journey of Get That Grant stillfresh, new, like four or five
years after I created it andit's like still going so I just
have to tell y'all who arelistening I do this just as like
more for me I think that I dothem for y'all but I'm glad that
everybody likes the spotlightepisodes too so without further
(02:47):
ado I just want to welcome tothe show Dr.
Sharon Ongunti who's here withus today and Sharon why don't
you tell the folks yourspecialty where you work and
what good work you're doing inthe world
SPEAKER_00 (03:01):
awesome yeah so my name again is Sharon Unguti and
I am currently an adultinfectious diseases specialist
at Vanderbilt University MedicalCenter in Nashville, Tennessee.
I am also an assistant professorof medicine at the same
institution and also had theamazing opportunity to be asked
to serve as the associateprogram director for a
(03:23):
fellowship training program andbecause of my passion for
antimicrobial stewardship I alsogot to have a medical director
role in at one of our regionalhospital as a medical director
for stewardship at the builtregional hospital
SPEAKER_03 (03:37):
okay so y'all see how basically Sharon has 10 jobs
already what she's saying is himy name is Sharon I just got
here I lead this I run this I dothat I mean it's just I think
people like you are gravitatetowards get that grant I just
want to say that because youhave so much you have so much
potential right you have a lotof skills and it's it's already
(03:57):
being recognized in thesepositions you know you said I
think you said because of myinterest or maybe I in
antimicrobial stuff.
They made me this.
And I thought, no, it's becauseof your work ethic, your
leadership, your character.
Like a lot of people have theknowledge, but there's only
certain people that are chosento say, okay, we trust you to
lead this.
And so I just want to give us somuch props, you know, because I
(04:19):
think sometimes we get so usedto all the things we're doing as
they're just kind of like, oh,this is like just something else
I do here and there.
But, you know, there aresomebody else's entire career.
And meanwhile, it's just one ofthe things on your list.
Sharon, obviously you aremulti-potential, right?
You're coming in and how manyyears have you been on faculty
(04:39):
now?
Actually, I'm coming
SPEAKER_00 (04:41):
up to three years, March of this year.
SPEAKER_03 (04:42):
Okay, so we're approaching the three-year
anniversary.
So within three years, youalready have all of those roles
that you just mentioned, some ofwhich are like mid-career roles,
honestly, and you're already inthat.
So, I mean, I know the answer tothis question because I remember
reading your application, but Iwant you to share with folks
what was going on for you inyour career when you were
considering coaching and like,specifically what wasn't working
(05:04):
for you that was like kind ofcausing the friction that made
you say, I'm going to trysomething different.
I want to get some help.
SPEAKER_00 (05:10):
Yes.
So one of the things for me whenI launched into this
institution, because I did mytraining at a different
institution, I was so excited tofigure out what are some of the
ways I could actually increasemy ability, first of all, to
learn the culture and then togrow in the things that I'm
really passionate about.
And so I found myself in asituation where I was accepting
(05:30):
so many different roles and andopportunities that I was spread
so thin and actually quiteliterally felt quite scattered.
And I knew that something had tobe different.
And I would say that it was, Iguess, a good fortune that
around the same time, I was partof the women in medicine program
(05:50):
at our institution.
And I remember one of themonthly activities was listening
to one of your podcasts.
Oh my gosh.
Shout out to the Vanderbiltwomen.
and in medicine program.
Yes.
And that was in 2022.
I forget what month it was, butthat was the year that I joined.
And I think that was one of themost amazing things that
(06:13):
happened because when I listenedto that podcast, because we had
to listen and then discuss it,there was so much that was said
that really, I felt so seen andheard.
And I was like, you know what?
I really need to go throughthis.
So I even didn't know that thiskind of coaching existed, but
because I listened to the talkand then, you know, there's
different instances where youtalk about how people like me
(06:35):
can actually take advantage ofthe resources that you have.
I said, you know what?
I think I really need to givethis a chance.
And so I was really glad to,first of all, know that it's
something that I was not surethat I needed, that I got to
know that I needed.
And then once I startedlistening to the podcast, I
recognized, wow, this issomething that is really
transforming how I makedecisions.
(06:58):
And I would love to be able tojust sit in it intentionally and
hopefully make you know, betterdecisions moving forward.
SPEAKER_03 (07:05):
I love that, Sharon, because I think one of the
things that I heard you say thatreally compelled me just then
was, so you trained somewhereelse and you came into this
position eager, you know,excited.
And what you said is ready toreally learn the culture, to
understand what this place is.
So a lot of your opportunitieswere said with a yes, not
begrudgingly, you know, notbecause somebody's making you,
(07:26):
it's just, you're like, no, letme take this on.
Let me do this because it's agreat way to learn, which I just
have to say is such a highachievement.
Thank you so much.
(08:02):
have any there's like no filteron it or there's like what's on
the other side of that after allthese responsibilities are now
here and you're doing all thesethings and you're spread so thin
it's like how do you re-find afocus point
SPEAKER_02 (08:14):
I
SPEAKER_03 (08:14):
think is what I'm hearing you say and it's like
and also like I'm so scattered Idon't even have time to like be
with myself like literally I'mhere and here and here and here
which I've also experienced andI know what that's like it's
like wild because each personyou talk to they have the
experience that like they're theonly person in front of you,
right?
Like that project that you'retalking to them about, that's
(08:35):
all they do.
And meanwhile, you're like, thisis number three of eight on my
list today.
Do you relate to that
SPEAKER_00 (08:41):
feeling?
Absolutely.
That's so accurately described.
And that was sort of a war thatI was having within me.
I still have it, but then I'msort of know how to better
manage it because I really wantto give myself and give my all.
But then I realized we have 24hours a day.
SPEAKER_01 (08:56):
It's not possible to try and do 72 hours worth of
work in 24 hours.
UNKNOWN (09:01):
And so
SPEAKER_02 (09:02):
Really redefining that expectation and then being
OK with letting go of somethings.
SPEAKER_03 (09:08):
And yeah, so that was just a very freeing
experience that I went through.
OK, so then you're saying, OK,I'm going to give this a try.
You go to the journal club.
I've heard this before, so Ithink it's so cool that you all
do this.
I never would have thought of akind of a podcast as journal
club.
But anyway, it's such a greatidea.
So if you haven't done this atyour institution and you're
listening, you can totallychoose one of the podcast
(09:29):
episodes and do a journal cluband like stir stuff up.
up and get conversations goinganyway absolutely you came in to
get that grant and I would loveto hear for you a moment where
something really shifted for youin a big way or just an
experience that stood out to youin doing the coaching program
SPEAKER_00 (09:47):
yeah I would say there was multiple different
instances but I think the one Ireally want to highlight because
this was a very groundingexercise was coming up with my
purpose mantra
SPEAKER_03 (09:56):
oh my god everybody says this it's so funny
SPEAKER_00 (09:59):
yes because it basically was what's important
to me and how do I put it downinto words because it has to
speak to who I am right yes so Ireally needed to see okay I have
a passion for education and Iwant to really find a way to
intersect my different interestsand see if there's a way I can
(10:22):
have harmony within it and ifit's okay I can share what my
purpose mantra is
SPEAKER_03 (10:26):
absolutely we want to hear it
SPEAKER_00 (10:29):
all right so I am here to inspire our and empower
the next generation ofhealthcare professionals in
advancing the fight againstantimicrobial resistance and the
associated health disparitiesthrough innovative antimicrobial
stewardship interventions whileharnessing the transformative
potential of artificialintelligence in healthcare
(10:49):
delivery.
SPEAKER_03 (10:51):
Oh my God.
Okay.
So first of all, first of all,I'm clapping y'all.
If you can't hear it, I'mclapping.
Okay.
Calm down, Kemi.
Bring it back.
Calm down.
Sharon.
That is fire.
That is absolute fire.
It is so clear and it's sospecific.
And I can tell it's you becausenobody else is putting all that
(11:13):
together.
Like as you're going, I'm like,this is so unique to like the
lens of which you see yourself.
So first of all, great job.
Thank you.
And I can tell as you're readingit, like I'm looking at your
face, they can't see your face,but I can see your face.
Like your shoulders went back alittle bit, you know, like you
stood up a little bit morebecause you're like, no, this,
is me here I am so I just lovethat this comes up so much
(11:36):
because I think there are somany bells and whistles in the
program I really think of it asover delivery like it's almost
too much to be honest right it'sjust like it is like so much but
I love the fact that people overand over say one of the most or
the most powerful thing issomething I pulled from myself
to use as my compass and I justthink that that's like it's just
(12:00):
priceless so can you talk alittle bit about the difference
between having that now versusbefore why are your days
different or like why is yourexperience different now that
you have that clearly stated foryourself
SPEAKER_00 (12:14):
wow one alignment it really helps me align my day and
my activity so we also did likethe activities you know sort of
listing out our activities andhow they align with our goals
and so one of the things that atleast it's done for me is try to
see okay how can I restructureof my day and also what kind of
(12:34):
mentors am I looking for asrelates this specific desire of
mine or at least my purpose andI think what's been so
empowering through this is youknow I remember one of the
things that was said during someof our coaching calls was and
even from the sessions of thecourse is when you have clarity
on your purpose mantra and youput this on your grant and it
(12:58):
speaks to where it is you wantto go then it makes the writing
of the grant and sort of theprocess thereafter very i don't
want to say seamless but it'sjust like there's such an
alignment it flows and i want toactually share and i'm still
waiting for the outcome of thisbut i was blown away because
initially before starting thisprogram i didn't really know
(13:21):
much about medical educationgrants and whether or not that's
a thing because typically youknow the physician scientist
route you have to write for thek and all but now with this I
was able to sort of startlooking are there actually
niches around this where I canapply for a grant on this and
surprise surprise there was andlook at that and it spoke
(13:45):
exactly it's almost like liftingoff what I have written in my
purpose mantra and what thatspecific grant opportunity was
asking for for an educator andempowering me as an educator and
I'm going to be really hopefulthat at least something that
comes out of it.
And if anything, I will say theprocess of getting everything
(14:06):
together opened so many doorswithin the institution that I
did not know were possible.
And now I even started gettingadvances, say, from the
clerkship directors trying tosee how can I start piloting
even before it comes to be.
And they're saying, you know,even if it doesn't come through,
we're still interested inpursuing this to the next level.
(14:27):
So I think it's just been a giftthat's kept on giving.
And so one other thing I wantedto add is, I mean, it also
opened my eyes to our departmentof bioinformatics, because as a
physician, sometimes we may getcaught up in our expertise as a
clinician, but then really wemust embrace what's the current
technology and how can weleverage it to help us to be
(14:50):
better clinicians, bettereducators, better providers.
We cannot afford to bury ourheads in the sand.
And so to my surprise, I learnedthat we have a very robust
department of bioinformatics Andthey are actually embracing the
opportunity to co-work withclinicians to see what sorts of
ideas can we come up with andwhat sorts of things can we
(15:13):
develop.
And so it's not that I have tosort of do the heavy lifting of
bioinformatics on my own, butit's understanding what avenues
exist.
And so it's like, wow, it'sliterally forming the roadmap of
where it is I want to takethings, even though there may
not be somebody who is exactlydoing what I want to do.
But I have the opportunity tocreate my own path.
(15:35):
And it's really exciting andvery energizing for me.
SPEAKER_03 (15:41):
And I'm really looking forward to all of it.
(16:01):
allowed you to actually shiftinto a totally different kind of
way that you're looking foropportunities to come to you.
So all of a sudden you have thisnew lens so that you're like,
okay, now I know what I reallywant.
So I'm even searching different.
I'm looking differently now thatI realize what I want.
And then because that's nowformed within you, you're like,
(16:24):
I don't even know how todescribe it.
It's just like, I saw thisopportunity and I was like, this
one is it?
Like, this is clearly mirroringall these things I put together.
And then when you write it itjust flows because the thing
about I think what's so powerfulabout the purpose monitor
because every word is sointentional it's almost like
every word for you is probablylike you could write a five page
(16:45):
essay on every word choiceyou're using so for you like
maybe somebody hears and they'relike it's a statement but for
you you're like this is my wholecareer library and you know it
all the way down like I canstart asking you different
questions I'm sure you can seeit with here with me for like
three hours just keep going justtalking talking talking right so
because you have that noworganized and almost in a
(17:06):
direction when you're writing agrant when you're working on an
application that's what you'renow accessing it's like
everything you always have butit's organized it's ready it
makes sense it's logical andit's flowing out in a way that
is like you are now sharing thisis actually my perspective this
is how I see it by the way onthe review side that's what
stands out because people go ohthey can feel the novelty but
(17:29):
also the clarity right it's likeit's so specific.
So I will also cross my fingersfor you.
But then the thing that you saidthat I love even more is that
the process itself was sovaluable at this point that you
want things to go well.
We wanted her to get that moneyuniverse, give her that money.
We want her.
However, you recognize alreadyso many doors, collaborations,
(17:52):
connections, the way probablyyou approach people was
different when you went forcollaboration and stuff, because
you were so clear to the pointthat now people are like,
listen, whether you get that orno, we don't do this project,
which is exactly what we want,right?
We want a backup plan.
We want support from ourdepartment.
We want all those things.
So that's why I really wantpeople to really think about
this because there can be somuch noise in the world of like,
(18:16):
you have to do this and grantsand this and this font.
And there just can be so muchdrama of it all.
And within all of that stressand drama, nobody comes back to
this point, which is like theclearer you are on what you are
trying to do and the moreaccurately, it truly lines up
with your own interests, thebetter thing you will write, and
(18:38):
the more people will be excitedto help you.
It's beautiful.
It's beautiful.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (18:47):
I love it so much.
Thank you.
And, you know, surprise,surprise, I yet found out, you
know, today, there's yet anotheropportunity that is specific to
medical education.
So it's just, as you said, it'sSo
SPEAKER_03 (19:02):
it's not going to stop.
Oh, you also said this thing yousaid so now I'm kind of there's
nobody exactly doing what I wantto do but I'm going to create my
own unique path and I'm like, tome that's the ideal state
because nobody's in your way.
You're not trying to recreatesomething that's already been
done you're not trying to justfollow in somebody's footsteps
but try to be new.
What you're doing is I thinkwhat we all really want to do in
(19:22):
academics, which is like, takewhat's been done draw with it
and do something unique and dosomething different and it's
just, it's a beautiful way tobuild your Because, I don't
know, it's just such a clearexpression of who you are,
right?
And like what you want to do.
You're not copycatting.
So I think that that's amazing.
We've seen it just so manytimes, you know, like I try to
(19:44):
give people an abundancemindset.
Like it's so easy to get sonegative and so we can't do this
and they cut funding here andall of this stuff.
And I'm like, all that stuff isreality, but it doesn't actually
help you to stay in that spaceif you want to be successful.
Sharon, it's fantastic.
Yeah.
So we already mentioned a lot ofthese things, but I'll still ask
(20:05):
you, like, are there things wehaven't touched on yet that you
have now that you didn't havebefore you embarked on coaching?
SPEAKER_00 (20:11):
Yes.
Okay.
There's several differentthings, but one thing I really
want to highlight is thecommunity and the peer mentoring
that we had during our sessionsand even post coaching program.
We still have that.
I cannot overemphasize howprecious that was.
And then just to hear howeverybody was having sort of a
(20:34):
similar experience and thendrawing from each other's
experience.
That was really, really amazing.
And then two, I think one of thethings that was also really
empowering for me, and I stilldo it to date and I'm trying to
see if I can do it moreregularly, is the align your
activities and responsibilitiesbecause some things tend to
creep up.
And so the inventory process, Ithink for me is very liberating
(20:56):
because then I can clearly see,okay, how have I actually spent
this week?
And is it in alignment withwhere I'm trying to go?
What can I do differently fornext week?
And that moment of reflection,because it's easy to go by week
by week and just find that, oh,it's three months in and I have
nothing to show for it.
(21:17):
So I think just that inventoryprocess is a very grounding
experience for me.
And there's many other toolsthat I was able to benefit from
the grant writing process.
The other thing I would like tomention is the mentoring and
leadership process becausesometimes we can have people who
we have designated as mentorsbut then they have a conflict of
(21:38):
interest and so that was one ofthe major things for me that was
a an awakening moment isunderstanding that I need to
sort of redefine what thosementors look like for me and so
I think just really having aone-on-one with myself and
really asking where it is I'mreally trying to go and making
sure that those mentors andleaders in my own journey are
(22:02):
people who really are going tohelp propel me and they're
really in my corner and so it'sthat self-leadership
SPEAKER_03 (22:09):
is what you're describing you're describing
like which is something I thinkonce you learn about it from the
curriculum and then we starttalking about it I think
everybody has that moment wherethey realize oh yeah nobody
would do this but me like thereisn't any you realize pretty
quickly like yeah of course thisisn't clear for me because this
isn't anybody else's job butmine I'm the only one who has
all the information to be ableto do this inventory I'm the
(22:30):
only one who has the informationto be able to figure out whether
things are in alignment or notand why.
And I love what you said aboutthe micro adjustments because
that's so what it's about.
It's not about perfection.
We're not robots and things arealso constantly changing and we
change.
So we evolve where we're like,wow, I was really interested in
(22:51):
this, but I'm not reallyinterested in this anymore.
So for a lot of reasons, there'slike this kind of, what did they
say?
It's not a diet.
It's a lifestyle.
It's like, it's just a completedifferent approach where you're
you're constantly thinking aboutrefinement right and you're just
like okay so let's assess let'sinventory let's audit what
happened last week like you saidhow did I spend my time where
(23:12):
was I off that's one of my bestmy favorite questions is like
where did it go wrong and whyyou know we have a very thorough
audit process of like not justlike oh I didn't get it done
it's like no let's really getinto the weeds so we can
understand why it didn't happenbecause there's so much
information there and I thinksometimes that's when we realize
like you know actually don't,not just, I don't like this
(23:33):
project, but like it has gone insuch a way that I didn't expect,
or the job is different thanwhat I expected.
And I haven't dealt with that.
So I'm just procrastinatinginstead.
So you're really describing likeso many tools of self-leadership
that then make you also a betterleader and a better mentor for
other people.
Cause it's like, you cleaned upyour own house.
You know, you're like, I'm clearon what I'm doing.
(23:53):
I know why I'm here.
I know how I'm spending my time.
This meeting is going to trulybe to serve you instead of be
mad at you that you're taking mytime.
You know, it's like, Which is soimportant given your roles that
you mentioned that you have.
It's like those trainees, theyneed your clarity, but it's hard
to give somebody clarity ifyou're resentful of your time
and you're exhausted.
SPEAKER_00 (24:12):
Exactly, exactly.
And so for me, that has actuallybeen a very liberating process
and also just finding joy inactually not look forward to
sort of, I call it like awellness hour, just to sit down
and look through and see, okay,how can I actually change this
around?
And so I'm looking forward tothis year, 2020 and seeing,
(24:32):
okay, now that I have all thisskill set around me, how can I
actually leverage it to myadvantage and hopefully also
inspire others?
I have also shared some of thisinformation with some of our
trainees who are minority womenin medicine, and they're also
really benefiting as well, asmall way that I get to share.
(24:53):
And so hopefully they'll also bejoining the coaching program at
some
SPEAKER_03 (24:57):
point.
Yeah, I love that.
It's like the legacy continues.
You mentioned to the communityand how you all are staying in
contact, which is really common.
I think a lot of the cohorts arelike, okay, like where
everybody's cell phone number,like let's get it together
because yeah, we all need thatsquad.
We all need that connection.
And I think, you know, I thinkthere's like a missing space in
(25:19):
academic medicine.
It's like, there are thesepeople, they're your friends.
And then there are these peoplethat like colleagues, work
colleagues and everybody'sgetting along, but it's like,
there's this missing space oflike real vulnerability
professional connection andsupport you know where it's like
we might not even be friendsit's not even even about you
know whether we go to a movietogether but like we have
(25:40):
decided we collectively aregoing to support each other's
careers so we're going to bereally honest and we're going to
you know be open and we're goingto share resources i think like
that space is to me largelymissing in most institutions
period and so i think that'swhat faculty who come through
get that get create and thenhold on to going forward would
you describe it that way Is thatright?
SPEAKER_00 (26:03):
Yeah.
The word that comes to my mindis a high functioning team
because we have such an elementin terms of where our paths are
and where it is we want to go.
And we are all like, you know,challenging each other,
inspiring each other,encouraging each other.
And it's like, okay, she didthis.
Let's cheer her on.
And how can we rally around eachother?
(26:23):
So it's just a really highfunctioning team because it's
like the ground rules havealready been set.
It's a safe.
Yes.
And we are vulnerable and we canbe- We're not
SPEAKER_03 (26:33):
doing nonsense.
Yeah, exactly.
It's like, everybody's safe.
There's no nonsense.
Everybody works hard here.
Everybody contributes.
Let's do it.
Yes.
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:41):
Yes.
And so it's sort of a differentlevel.
And so I'm really enjoying theprocess.
And actually what I did was Irealized, okay, it's six months,
but I think in order to actuallymake this more a part of who I
am, I decided to just go aheadand enroll in the fully funded
program as a way to just getthis foundation even stronger.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (27:31):
closing your eyes it's like you can get all the do
get that grant or do whateverand you're all set and you have
like all your information andyour eyes are open and you're
walking and it's like if youlose the community it's like
you're closing your eyes soyou're walking but now girl
you've veered off to the rightto the left it's just so easy to
get off track like you saidbecause it's chaos out here like
(27:51):
let's be honest it's chaos so ilove high functioning team i
love how you said that okay sowhat advice would you give
newbies we got some newbies justcome in the program, people who
just signed up and they're like,okay, but what if my group's not
like Sharon's?
Like what, you know what I mean?
Like, I don't know.
What would you tell them?
Or maybe even what would youtell your former self just to
(28:12):
make sure it's like, you aregoing to have a great
experience.
This is what you need to do.
SPEAKER_00 (28:16):
Absolutely.
So I would say, first of all,congratulations on making the
best decision for your career.
You are in the right place.
And then one thing also reallywant to emphasize is just enjoy
the process.
And be present, be present.
Because what happens is when weare not in for the sessions,
(28:37):
there's sort of a disconnectionthat happens, but they're
showing up.
I know there's a lot of contentto work through, but if you've
not gone through all thecontent, still show up because
your presence and your input isso valuable.
And then you actually get todraw from each other's strengths
and learn from each other.
And you really don't want tomiss out on that.
(28:58):
And I would say, just paceyourself.
There's a lot of content, butit's all such good content and
it's consumed on a regular diet.
I mean, it's sort of a steadydiet.
Yes.
You cannot binge.
No.
SPEAKER_03 (29:10):
Sharon's shaking her head, y'all.
This is not because there's nofluff.
Yes.
So you can't fast forward.
You can't two times.
Like, thank you very muchbecause there's a lot of fluff
out there.
I think people, when they comein, they realize like, oh, if
it's 20 minutes, it's 20 minutesof solid gold.
Get your pen out and starttaking notes.
SPEAKER_00 (29:27):
And some of those activities actually need you to
like, you're Do it, go, comeback, think about it, reflect.
So I would say that tracker thatis provided, that's like a
Bible.
Keep it next to you so that itwill help you pace yourself in a
way that's reasonable.
And then I would say, wheneveryou are engaging in the
(29:48):
sessions, speaking up andgetting to share actually is
also a really powerfulexperience because at least for
me, what it did, it helped mebuild my confidence around
speaking and also understandingthat your voice matters.
And when you do that, it's sortof another layer of reinforcing
what it is that you believe in.
(30:09):
And I think just helps to bringout the unique contribution that
you have, because what you say,nobody else can say it and what
you bring, nobody else canbring.
So embrace the uniqueness thatyou have and don't be afraid to
speak up.
SPEAKER_03 (30:23):
Yes, Sharon.
Okay.
Okay.
First of all, we're going to putyou in the coach training
pipeline because you arepreaching.
Right now.
Also, I think I just want to,you said, you know, if you're
listening and you just started,seriously, stay on the trackers.
We actually developed thosetrackers to help people because
they were like, okay, there's somuch here.
Like, how do I maintain throughit?
(30:45):
But I still maintain, it isreally designed.
You need to have at least twohours a week, but I mean that.
I do mean two hours every singleweek, but you need to have that.
But if you can stick to that,then you can make the steady
progress.
And there are bigger weeks andsmaller weeks and things like
that.
So I love that your emphasis onthat, like stay on track.
It's not bingeable.
Don't try to binge it.
It does not work.
(31:06):
And then number two is justlike, speak up, hear your own
voice.
I think one of the things that Isaw people learn all the time
and get that grant when I wasdoing every single session is
how they would speak somethingout loud and you could hear them
hear it for the first time andbe like, wait a minute, you
know, whether it was a problemwhere they're like, wait, what
did I just say?
And I'd be like, exactly.
(31:26):
Do you want to try it?
You know?
And they're like, no, why am Ieven thinking of it this way?
Or because they've made adecision that moment, somebody's
like, you know, I decided I'mnot doing that anymore, or I'm
going to go for this.
And everybody's like, yes.
And there's just this otherlevel of confidence and clarity
that they get coming out ofthat.
And I just don't think we shouldhave to do all that alone.
It would be so much to do allthat by yourself.
(31:47):
Why?
No, it's not.
And it's not as fun.
SPEAKER_00 (31:51):
Yeah.
And then what I found is that,and, you know, in terms of
having that clarity, I foundthat, you know, cause we had
questions that we would gothrough, you know, during the
coaching call.
What I came with that seemed tobe like an issue that I wasn't
able to really wrap my mindaround, as I would share, I'd be
like, oh, I actually haveclarity on how I would like to
(32:11):
approach this going back thefollowing.
And so that was really helpful,like to vocalize it and then
understand, oh, actually I dohave a way out because I'm
sharing it.
And then I'm also getting inputfrom my colleagues.
SPEAKER_03 (32:25):
Yes.
Yeah.
Good input.
Exactly.
Like quality input.
Yeah.
Because people really come like,okay, let's figure this out.
you know it's not just like woeis me it's like no no we're
gonna find a way and so you'vegot a wonderful group of minds
who actually all know yoursituation too because I think
that's important it's like thewhole informed believers thing
it's like people who also knowyeah I know how fellowships work
(32:46):
or I know how this like peopleare already in the mix with you
and so yeah I think you hearreally unique you hear creative
ideas and we always find a wayout is the thing we always find
a way like okay that's a greatnext step let's go and I think
that really right there is thedifference between momentum in
your career or just spendingmonths stuck on this thing or
(33:08):
that thing or whatever.
I mean, then months turned intoyears.
So Sharon, this is so lovely.
I clearly could talk to you allday.
This was so fun.
Is there anything final thatyou'd like to share before you
wrap up?
SPEAKER_00 (33:20):
I think one of the things I was going to mention
about the sessions that was so,I mean, was just such a humbling
experience was to hear otherpeople's wins because that told
me that it can be done And Ithink I remember clearly one of
the participants sharing how,you know, she was able to do her
publications.
She was able to submit thegrants and she had all these
other publications and it justsort of spoke to me in a
(33:43):
different way.
And then it kept happening, youknow, like we kept hearing all
these amazing things that peoplewere doing.
And so for me to also justemphasize, you know what, it
actually can be done.
And from them, what is it thatthey did to, you know, navigate
that so that I can also do it sotangible it's
SPEAKER_03 (34:03):
feasible right it's not just well you hope fingers
crossed it's like no thesepeople are in community with you
so what exactly did you do howdid you think about this how did
you format that yeah I agreeit's wonderful thank you so much
Sharon this was so lovely I'm soexcited that you went to that
journal club I'm excited thatyou kept following your instinct
(34:23):
to move forward and you joinedthe community and thank you for
sharing so openly with ourcommunity here and Tell folks
where they can find you if theywant to hear more about the work
that you do or the work thatyou're going to be doing soon
with medical education, AI andor antimicrobial stewardship.
SPEAKER_00 (34:42):
Yes, I can be found on, I guess, X right now.
My name, Sharon Onguti on X, yetto have an Instagram account,
but then I can also be reachedout through email.
That's my first name, Sharon.
My last name, Onguti,O-N-G-U-T-I at V as in Vic, We
love it.
SPEAKER_03 (35:08):
Thank you so much, Sharon.
By the way, I was born inNashville, Tennessee, girl.
So I, yes, I have a closeconnection.
Yes, I'm a hairy hospital.
Yes.
So I have a close connection.
This was lovely.
I hope you have a wonderful restof your day.
Y'all who are listening, takecare.
I love you and I mean it.
Bye.
Bye.
SPEAKER_00 (35:26):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_03 (35:26):
Thank you for tuning in to the You're Unapologetic If
you're interested in gynecologichealth, make sure to sign up for
(35:58):
my newsletter, Dr.
Dr.
Kemi Dole and the womb atwww.kemidole.com slash womb.
It comes out once a month andit's packed with valuable
insights.
For those looking to enhancetheir careers, you can join our
career foundation series forexclusive tips at
www.kemidole.com slashfoundations.
(36:22):
This also comes out monthly andis a great way to keep your
career on the right track.
And finally, if you're a womanof color faculty in academic We
can connect in all types ofways.
(36:45):
You can follow me on socialmedia at my full government
name, Kemi Dole, K-E-M-I-D-O-L-Lfor daily inspiration and
updates.
Thank you again for being partof our community.
Y'all, first of all, go back and listen to all that
again, before you listen toanything I say, stop right now
and go rewind and listen to thatanswer from Sharon, because you
have everything in that answerright there.
First of all, number one, havingthe purpose mantra written,
going through the process thatwe take people through really,
you know, we kind of work it,you know, we want to make sure
that it makes sense, et cetera.
It really resonates with you.
(00:21):
That allowed you to actuallyshift into a totally different
kind of way that you're lookingfor opportunities to come to
you.
So All of a sudden you have thisnew lens so that you're like,
okay, now I know what I reallywant.
So I'm even searching different.
I'm looking differently now thatI realize what I want.
And then because that's nowformed within you, you're like,
(00:44):
I don't even know how todescribe it.
It's just like, I saw thisopportunity and I was like, this
one is it.
Like, this is clearly mirroringall these things I put together.
And then when you write it, itjust flows.
Hello.
Hello, you are listening to yourunapologetic career.
(01:05):
Being a woman of color facultyin academic medicine who wants
to make a real difference withyour career can be tough.
Listen, these systems are notbuilt for us, but that doesn't
mean we can't make them work forus.
In each episode, I'll be takinga deep dive into one core growth
strategy so you can gainconfidence and effectiveness in
(01:26):
pursuing the dream career youworked so hard to achieve.
I'll see you next time.
(02:02):
Welcome back to the show.
I'm so excited that you pressedplay on this episode because we
are speaking to another Get ThatGrant recent graduate.
No matter how many of theseinterviews I do, I have such a
good time with them becauseeverybody has a unique flavor to
their journey.
And I can't express to you howodd but beautiful it is to see
(02:25):
people experiencing thecurriculum and like the whole
journey of Get That Grant stillfresh, new, like four or five
years after I created it andit's like still going so I just
have to tell y'all who arelistening I do this just as like
more for me I think that I dothem for y'all but I'm glad that
everybody likes the spotlightepisodes too so without further
(02:47):
ado I just want to welcome tothe show Dr.
Sharon Ongunti who's here withus today and Sharon why don't
you tell the folks yourspecialty where you work and
what good work you're doing inthe world
SPEAKER_00 (03:01):
awesome yeah so my name again is Sharon Unguti and
I am currently an adultinfectious diseases specialist
at Vanderbilt University MedicalCenter in Nashville, Tennessee.
I am also an assistant professorof medicine at the same
institution and also had theamazing opportunity to be asked
to serve as the associateprogram director for a
(03:23):
fellowship training program andbecause of my passion for
antimicrobial stewardship I alsogot to have a medical director
role in at one of our regionalhospital as a medical director
for stewardship at the builtregional hospital
SPEAKER_03 (03:37):
okay so y'all see how basically Sharon has 10 jobs
already what she's saying is himy name is Sharon I just got
here I lead this I run this I dothat I mean it's just I think
people like you are gravitatetowards get that grant I just
want to say that because youhave so much you have so much
potential right you have a lotof skills and it's it's already
(03:57):
being recognized in thesepositions you know you said I
think you said because of myinterest or maybe I in
antimicrobial stuff.
They made me this.
And I thought, no, it's becauseof your work ethic, your
leadership, your character.
Like a lot of people have theknowledge, but there's only
certain people that are chosento say, okay, we trust you to
lead this.
And so I just want to give us somuch props, you know, because I
(04:19):
think sometimes we get so usedto all the things we're doing as
they're just kind of like, oh,this is like just something else
I do here and there.
But, you know, there aresomebody else's entire career.
And meanwhile, it's just one ofthe things on your list.
Sharon, obviously you aremulti-potential, right?
You're coming in and how manyyears have you been on faculty
(04:39):
now?
Actually, I'm coming
SPEAKER_00 (04:41):
up to three years, March of this year.
SPEAKER_03 (04:42):
Okay, so we're approaching the three-year
anniversary.
So within three years, youalready have all of those roles
that you just mentioned, some ofwhich are like mid-career roles,
honestly, and you're already inthat.
So, I mean, I know the answer tothis question because I remember
reading your application, but Iwant you to share with folks
what was going on for you inyour career when you were
considering coaching and like,specifically what wasn't working
(05:04):
for you that was like kind ofcausing the friction that made
you say, I'm going to trysomething different.
I want to get some help.
SPEAKER_00 (05:10):
Yes.
So one of the things for me whenI launched into this
institution, because I did mytraining at a different
institution, I was so excited tofigure out what are some of the
ways I could actually increasemy ability, first of all, to
learn the culture and then togrow in the things that I'm
really passionate about.
And so I found myself in asituation where I was accepting
(05:30):
so many different roles and andopportunities that I was spread
so thin and actually quiteliterally felt quite scattered.
And I knew that something had tobe different.
And I would say that it was, Iguess, a good fortune that
around the same time, I was partof the women in medicine program
(05:50):
at our institution.
And I remember one of themonthly activities was listening
to one of your podcasts.
Oh my gosh.
Shout out to the Vanderbiltwomen.
and in medicine program.
Yes.
And that was in 2022.
I forget what month it was, butthat was the year that I joined.
And I think that was one of themost amazing things that
(06:13):
happened because when I listenedto that podcast, because we had
to listen and then discuss it,there was so much that was said
that really, I felt so seen andheard.
And I was like, you know what?
I really need to go throughthis.
So I even didn't know that thiskind of coaching existed, but
because I listened to the talkand then, you know, there's
different instances where youtalk about how people like me
(06:35):
can actually take advantage ofthe resources that you have.
I said, you know what?
I think I really need to givethis a chance.
And so I was really glad to,first of all, know that it's
something that I was not surethat I needed, that I got to
know that I needed.
And then once I startedlistening to the podcast, I
recognized, wow, this issomething that is really
transforming how I makedecisions.
(06:58):
And I would love to be able tojust sit in it intentionally and
hopefully make you know, betterdecisions moving forward.
SPEAKER_03 (07:05):
I love that, Sharon, because I think one of the
things that I heard you say thatreally compelled me just then
was, so you trained somewhereelse and you came into this
position eager, you know,excited.
And what you said is ready toreally learn the culture, to
understand what this place is.
So a lot of your opportunitieswere said with a yes, not
begrudgingly, you know, notbecause somebody's making you,
(07:26):
it's just, you're like, no, letme take this on.
Let me do this because it's agreat way to learn, which I just
have to say is such a highachievement.
Thank you so much.
(08:02):
have any there's like no filteron it or there's like what's on
the other side of that after allthese responsibilities are now
here and you're doing all thesethings and you're spread so thin
it's like how do you re-find afocus point
SPEAKER_02 (08:14):
I
SPEAKER_03 (08:14):
think is what I'm hearing you say and it's like
and also like I'm so scattered Idon't even have time to like be
with myself like literally I'mhere and here and here and here
which I've also experienced andI know what that's like it's
like wild because each personyou talk to they have the
experience that like they're theonly person in front of you,
right?
Like that project that you'retalking to them about, that's
(08:35):
all they do.
And meanwhile, you're like, thisis number three of eight on my
list today.
Do you relate to that
SPEAKER_00 (08:41):
feeling?
Absolutely.
That's so accurately described.
And that was sort of a war thatI was having within me.
I still have it, but then I'msort of know how to better
manage it because I really wantto give myself and give my all.
But then I realized we have 24hours a day.
SPEAKER_01 (08:56):
It's not possible to try and do 72 hours worth of
work in 24 hours.
UNKNOWN (09:01):
And so
SPEAKER_02 (09:02):
Really redefining that expectation and then being
OK with letting go of somethings.
SPEAKER_03 (09:08):
And yeah, so that was just a very freeing
experience that I went through.
OK, so then you're saying, OK,I'm going to give this a try.
You go to the journal club.
I've heard this before, so Ithink it's so cool that you all
do this.
I never would have thought of akind of a podcast as journal
club.
But anyway, it's such a greatidea.
So if you haven't done this atyour institution and you're
listening, you can totallychoose one of the podcast
(09:29):
episodes and do a journal cluband like stir stuff up.
up and get conversations goinganyway absolutely you came in to
get that grant and I would loveto hear for you a moment where
something really shifted for youin a big way or just an
experience that stood out to youin doing the coaching program
SPEAKER_00 (09:47):
yeah I would say there was multiple different
instances but I think the one Ireally want to highlight because
this was a very groundingexercise was coming up with my
purpose mantra
SPEAKER_03 (09:56):
oh my god everybody says this it's so funny
SPEAKER_00 (09:59):
yes because it basically was what's important
to me and how do I put it downinto words because it has to
speak to who I am right yes so Ireally needed to see okay I have
a passion for education and Iwant to really find a way to
intersect my different interestsand see if there's a way I can
(10:22):
have harmony within it and ifit's okay I can share what my
purpose mantra is
SPEAKER_03 (10:26):
absolutely we want to hear it
SPEAKER_00 (10:29):
all right so I am here to inspire our and empower
the next generation ofhealthcare professionals in
advancing the fight againstantimicrobial resistance and the
associated health disparitiesthrough innovative antimicrobial
stewardship interventions whileharnessing the transformative
potential of artificialintelligence in healthcare
(10:49):
delivery.
SPEAKER_03 (10:51):
Oh my God.
Okay.
So first of all, first of all,I'm clapping y'all.
If you can't hear it, I'mclapping.
Okay.
Calm down, Kemi.
Bring it back.
Calm down.
Sharon.
That is fire.
That is absolute fire.
It is so clear and it's sospecific.
And I can tell it's you becausenobody else is putting all that
(11:13):
together.
Like as you're going, I'm like,this is so unique to like the
lens of which you see yourself.
So first of all, great job.
Thank you.
And I can tell as you're readingit, like I'm looking at your
face, they can't see your face,but I can see your face.
Like your shoulders went back alittle bit, you know, like you
stood up a little bit morebecause you're like, no, this,
is me here I am so I just lovethat this comes up so much
(11:36):
because I think there are somany bells and whistles in the
program I really think of it asover delivery like it's almost
too much to be honest right it'sjust like it is like so much but
I love the fact that people overand over say one of the most or
the most powerful thing issomething I pulled from myself
to use as my compass and I justthink that that's like it's just
(12:00):
priceless so can you talk alittle bit about the difference
between having that now versusbefore why are your days
different or like why is yourexperience different now that
you have that clearly stated foryourself
SPEAKER_00 (12:14):
wow one alignment it really helps me align my day and
my activity so we also did likethe activities you know sort of
listing out our activities andhow they align with our goals
and so one of the things that atleast it's done for me is try to
see okay how can I restructureof my day and also what kind of
(12:34):
mentors am I looking for asrelates this specific desire of
mine or at least my purpose andI think what's been so
empowering through this is youknow I remember one of the
things that was said during someof our coaching calls was and
even from the sessions of thecourse is when you have clarity
on your purpose mantra and youput this on your grant and it
(12:58):
speaks to where it is you wantto go then it makes the writing
of the grant and sort of theprocess thereafter very i don't
want to say seamless but it'sjust like there's such an
alignment it flows and i want toactually share and i'm still
waiting for the outcome of thisbut i was blown away because
initially before starting thisprogram i didn't really know
(13:21):
much about medical educationgrants and whether or not that's
a thing because typically youknow the physician scientist
route you have to write for thek and all but now with this I
was able to sort of startlooking are there actually
niches around this where I canapply for a grant on this and
surprise surprise there was andlook at that and it spoke
(13:45):
exactly it's almost like liftingoff what I have written in my
purpose mantra and what thatspecific grant opportunity was
asking for for an educator andempowering me as an educator and
I'm going to be really hopefulthat at least something that
comes out of it.
And if anything, I will say theprocess of getting everything
(14:06):
together opened so many doorswithin the institution that I
did not know were possible.
And now I even started gettingadvances, say, from the
clerkship directors trying tosee how can I start piloting
even before it comes to be.
And they're saying, you know,even if it doesn't come through,
we're still interested inpursuing this to the next level.
(14:27):
So I think it's just been a giftthat's kept on giving.
And so one other thing I wantedto add is, I mean, it also
opened my eyes to our departmentof bioinformatics, because as a
physician, sometimes we may getcaught up in our expertise as a
clinician, but then really wemust embrace what's the current
technology and how can weleverage it to help us to be
(14:50):
better clinicians, bettereducators, better providers.
We cannot afford to bury ourheads in the sand.
And so to my surprise, I learnedthat we have a very robust
department of bioinformatics Andthey are actually embracing the
opportunity to co-work withclinicians to see what sorts of
ideas can we come up with andwhat sorts of things can we
(15:13):
develop.
And so it's not that I have tosort of do the heavy lifting of
bioinformatics on my own, butit's understanding what avenues
exist.
And so it's like, wow, it'sliterally forming the roadmap of
where it is I want to takethings, even though there may
not be somebody who is exactlydoing what I want to do.
But I have the opportunity tocreate my own path.
(15:35):
And it's really exciting andvery energizing for me.
SPEAKER_03 (15:41):
And I'm really looking forward to all of it.
(16:01):
allowed you to actually shiftinto a totally different kind of
way that you're looking foropportunities to come to you.
So all of a sudden you have thisnew lens so that you're like,
okay, now I know what I reallywant.
So I'm even searching different.
I'm looking differently now thatI realize what I want.
And then because that's nowformed within you, you're like,
(16:24):
I don't even know how todescribe it.
It's just like, I saw thisopportunity and I was like, this
one is it?
Like, this is clearly mirroringall these things I put together.
And then when you write it itjust flows because the thing
about I think what's so powerfulabout the purpose monitor
because every word is sointentional it's almost like
every word for you is probablylike you could write a five page
(16:45):
essay on every word choiceyou're using so for you like
maybe somebody hears and they'relike it's a statement but for
you you're like this is my wholecareer library and you know it
all the way down like I canstart asking you different
questions I'm sure you can seeit with here with me for like
three hours just keep going justtalking talking talking right so
because you have that noworganized and almost in a
(17:06):
direction when you're writing agrant when you're working on an
application that's what you'renow accessing it's like
everything you always have butit's organized it's ready it
makes sense it's logical andit's flowing out in a way that
is like you are now sharing thisis actually my perspective this
is how I see it by the way onthe review side that's what
stands out because people go ohthey can feel the novelty but
(17:29):
also the clarity right it's likeit's so specific.
So I will also cross my fingersfor you.
But then the thing that you saidthat I love even more is that
the process itself was sovaluable at this point that you
want things to go well.
We wanted her to get that moneyuniverse, give her that money.
We want her.
However, you recognize alreadyso many doors, collaborations,
(17:52):
connections, the way probablyyou approach people was
different when you went forcollaboration and stuff, because
you were so clear to the pointthat now people are like,
listen, whether you get that orno, we don't do this project,
which is exactly what we want,right?
We want a backup plan.
We want support from ourdepartment.
We want all those things.
So that's why I really wantpeople to really think about
this because there can be somuch noise in the world of like,
(18:16):
you have to do this and grantsand this and this font.
And there just can be so muchdrama of it all.
And within all of that stressand drama, nobody comes back to
this point, which is like theclearer you are on what you are
trying to do and the moreaccurately, it truly lines up
with your own interests, thebetter thing you will write, and
(18:38):
the more people will be excitedto help you.
It's beautiful.
It's beautiful.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (18:47):
I love it so much.
Thank you.
And, you know, surprise,surprise, I yet found out, you
know, today, there's yet anotheropportunity that is specific to
medical education.
So it's just, as you said, it'sSo
SPEAKER_03 (19:02):
it's not going to stop.
Oh, you also said this thing yousaid so now I'm kind of there's
nobody exactly doing what I wantto do but I'm going to create my
own unique path and I'm like, tome that's the ideal state
because nobody's in your way.
You're not trying to recreatesomething that's already been
done you're not trying to justfollow in somebody's footsteps
but try to be new.
What you're doing is I thinkwhat we all really want to do in
(19:22):
academics, which is like, takewhat's been done draw with it
and do something unique and dosomething different and it's
just, it's a beautiful way tobuild your Because, I don't
know, it's just such a clearexpression of who you are,
right?
And like what you want to do.
You're not copycatting.
So I think that that's amazing.
We've seen it just so manytimes, you know, like I try to
(19:44):
give people an abundancemindset.
Like it's so easy to get sonegative and so we can't do this
and they cut funding here andall of this stuff.
And I'm like, all that stuff isreality, but it doesn't actually
help you to stay in that spaceif you want to be successful.
Sharon, it's fantastic.
Yeah.
So we already mentioned a lot ofthese things, but I'll still ask
(20:05):
you, like, are there things wehaven't touched on yet that you
have now that you didn't havebefore you embarked on coaching?
SPEAKER_00 (20:11):
Yes.
Okay.
There's several differentthings, but one thing I really
want to highlight is thecommunity and the peer mentoring
that we had during our sessionsand even post coaching program.
We still have that.
I cannot overemphasize howprecious that was.
And then just to hear howeverybody was having sort of a
(20:34):
similar experience and thendrawing from each other's
experience.
That was really, really amazing.
And then two, I think one of thethings that was also really
empowering for me, and I stilldo it to date and I'm trying to
see if I can do it moreregularly, is the align your
activities and responsibilitiesbecause some things tend to
creep up.
And so the inventory process, Ithink for me is very liberating
(20:56):
because then I can clearly see,okay, how have I actually spent
this week?
And is it in alignment withwhere I'm trying to go?
What can I do differently fornext week?
And that moment of reflection,because it's easy to go by week
by week and just find that, oh,it's three months in and I have
nothing to show for it.
(21:17):
So I think just that inventoryprocess is a very grounding
experience for me.
And there's many other toolsthat I was able to benefit from
the grant writing process.
The other thing I would like tomention is the mentoring and
leadership process becausesometimes we can have people who
we have designated as mentorsbut then they have a conflict of
(21:38):
interest and so that was one ofthe major things for me that was
a an awakening moment isunderstanding that I need to
sort of redefine what thosementors look like for me and so
I think just really having aone-on-one with myself and
really asking where it is I'mreally trying to go and making
sure that those mentors andleaders in my own journey are
(22:02):
people who really are going tohelp propel me and they're
really in my corner and so it'sthat self-leadership
SPEAKER_03 (22:09):
is what you're describing you're describing
like which is something I thinkonce you learn about it from the
curriculum and then we starttalking about it I think
everybody has that moment wherethey realize oh yeah nobody
would do this but me like thereisn't any you realize pretty
quickly like yeah of course thisisn't clear for me because this
isn't anybody else's job butmine I'm the only one who has
all the information to be ableto do this inventory I'm the
(22:30):
only one who has the informationto be able to figure out whether
things are in alignment or notand why.
And I love what you said aboutthe micro adjustments because
that's so what it's about.
It's not about perfection.
We're not robots and things arealso constantly changing and we
change.
So we evolve where we're like,wow, I was really interested in
(22:51):
this, but I'm not reallyinterested in this anymore.
So for a lot of reasons, there'slike this kind of, what did they
say?
It's not a diet.
It's a lifestyle.
It's like, it's just a completedifferent approach where you're
you're constantly thinking aboutrefinement right and you're just
like okay so let's assess let'sinventory let's audit what
happened last week like you saidhow did I spend my time where
(23:12):
was I off that's one of my bestmy favorite questions is like
where did it go wrong and whyyou know we have a very thorough
audit process of like not justlike oh I didn't get it done
it's like no let's really getinto the weeds so we can
understand why it didn't happenbecause there's so much
information there and I thinksometimes that's when we realize
like you know actually don't,not just, I don't like this
(23:33):
project, but like it has gone insuch a way that I didn't expect,
or the job is different thanwhat I expected.
And I haven't dealt with that.
So I'm just procrastinatinginstead.
So you're really describing likeso many tools of self-leadership
that then make you also a betterleader and a better mentor for
other people.
Cause it's like, you cleaned upyour own house.
You know, you're like, I'm clearon what I'm doing.
(23:53):
I know why I'm here.
I know how I'm spending my time.
This meeting is going to trulybe to serve you instead of be
mad at you that you're taking mytime.
You know, it's like, Which is soimportant given your roles that
you mentioned that you have.
It's like those trainees, theyneed your clarity, but it's hard
to give somebody clarity ifyou're resentful of your time
and you're exhausted.
SPEAKER_00 (24:12):
Exactly, exactly.
And so for me, that has actuallybeen a very liberating process
and also just finding joy inactually not look forward to
sort of, I call it like awellness hour, just to sit down
and look through and see, okay,how can I actually change this
around?
And so I'm looking forward tothis year, 2020 and seeing,
(24:32):
okay, now that I have all thisskill set around me, how can I
actually leverage it to myadvantage and hopefully also
inspire others?
I have also shared some of thisinformation with some of our
trainees who are minority womenin medicine, and they're also
really benefiting as well, asmall way that I get to share.
(24:53):
And so hopefully they'll also bejoining the coaching program at
some
SPEAKER_03 (24:57):
point.
Yeah, I love that.
It's like the legacy continues.
You mentioned to the communityand how you all are staying in
contact, which is really common.
I think a lot of the cohorts arelike, okay, like where
everybody's cell phone number,like let's get it together
because yeah, we all need thatsquad.
We all need that connection.
And I think, you know, I thinkthere's like a missing space in
(25:19):
academic medicine.
It's like, there are thesepeople, they're your friends.
And then there are these peoplethat like colleagues, work
colleagues and everybody'sgetting along, but it's like,
there's this missing space oflike real vulnerability
professional connection andsupport you know where it's like
we might not even be friendsit's not even even about you
know whether we go to a movietogether but like we have
(25:40):
decided we collectively aregoing to support each other's
careers so we're going to bereally honest and we're going to
you know be open and we're goingto share resources i think like
that space is to me largelymissing in most institutions
period and so i think that'swhat faculty who come through
get that get create and thenhold on to going forward would
you describe it that way Is thatright?
SPEAKER_00 (26:03):
Yeah.
The word that comes to my mindis a high functioning team
because we have such an elementin terms of where our paths are
and where it is we want to go.
And we are all like, you know,challenging each other,
inspiring each other,encouraging each other.
And it's like, okay, she didthis.
Let's cheer her on.
And how can we rally around eachother?
(26:23):
So it's just a really highfunctioning team because it's
like the ground rules havealready been set.
It's a safe.
Yes.
And we are vulnerable and we canbe- We're not
SPEAKER_03 (26:33):
doing nonsense.
Yeah, exactly.
It's like, everybody's safe.
There's no nonsense.
Everybody works hard here.
Everybody contributes.
Let's do it.
Yes.
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:41):
Yes.
And so it's sort of a differentlevel.
And so I'm really enjoying theprocess.
And actually what I did was Irealized, okay, it's six months,
but I think in order to actuallymake this more a part of who I
am, I decided to just go aheadand enroll in the fully funded
program as a way to just getthis foundation even stronger.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (27:31):
closing your eyes it's like you can get all the do
get that grant or do whateverand you're all set and you have
like all your information andyour eyes are open and you're
walking and it's like if youlose the community it's like
you're closing your eyes soyou're walking but now girl
you've veered off to the rightto the left it's just so easy to
get off track like you saidbecause it's chaos out here like
(27:51):
let's be honest it's chaos so ilove high functioning team i
love how you said that okay sowhat advice would you give
newbies we got some newbies justcome in the program, people who
just signed up and they're like,okay, but what if my group's not
like Sharon's?
Like what, you know what I mean?
Like, I don't know.
What would you tell them?
Or maybe even what would youtell your former self just to
(28:12):
make sure it's like, you aregoing to have a great
experience.
This is what you need to do.
SPEAKER_00 (28:16):
Absolutely.
So I would say, first of all,congratulations on making the
best decision for your career.
You are in the right place.
And then one thing also reallywant to emphasize is just enjoy
the process.
And be present, be present.
Because what happens is when weare not in for the sessions,
(28:37):
there's sort of a disconnectionthat happens, but they're
showing up.
I know there's a lot of contentto work through, but if you've
not gone through all thecontent, still show up because
your presence and your input isso valuable.
And then you actually get todraw from each other's strengths
and learn from each other.
And you really don't want tomiss out on that.
(28:58):
And I would say, just paceyourself.
There's a lot of content, butit's all such good content and
it's consumed on a regular diet.
I mean, it's sort of a steadydiet.
Yes.
You cannot binge.
No.
SPEAKER_03 (29:10):
Sharon's shaking her head, y'all.
This is not because there's nofluff.
Yes.
So you can't fast forward.
You can't two times.
Like, thank you very muchbecause there's a lot of fluff
out there.
I think people, when they comein, they realize like, oh, if
it's 20 minutes, it's 20 minutesof solid gold.
Get your pen out and starttaking notes.
SPEAKER_00 (29:27):
And some of those activities actually need you to
like, you're Do it, go, comeback, think about it, reflect.
So I would say that tracker thatis provided, that's like a
Bible.
Keep it next to you so that itwill help you pace yourself in a
way that's reasonable.
And then I would say, wheneveryou are engaging in the
(29:48):
sessions, speaking up andgetting to share actually is
also a really powerfulexperience because at least for
me, what it did, it helped mebuild my confidence around
speaking and also understandingthat your voice matters.
And when you do that, it's sortof another layer of reinforcing
what it is that you believe in.
(30:09):
And I think just helps to bringout the unique contribution that
you have, because what you say,nobody else can say it and what
you bring, nobody else canbring.
So embrace the uniqueness thatyou have and don't be afraid to
speak up.
SPEAKER_03 (30:23):
Yes, Sharon.
Okay.
Okay.
First of all, we're going to putyou in the coach training
pipeline because you arepreaching.
Right now.
Also, I think I just want to,you said, you know, if you're
listening and you just started,seriously, stay on the trackers.
We actually developed thosetrackers to help people because
they were like, okay, there's somuch here.
Like, how do I maintain throughit?
(30:45):
But I still maintain, it isreally designed.
You need to have at least twohours a week, but I mean that.
I do mean two hours every singleweek, but you need to have that.
But if you can stick to that,then you can make the steady
progress.
And there are bigger weeks andsmaller weeks and things like
that.
So I love that your emphasis onthat, like stay on track.
It's not bingeable.
Don't try to binge it.
It does not work.
(31:06):
And then number two is justlike, speak up, hear your own
voice.
I think one of the things that Isaw people learn all the time
and get that grant when I wasdoing every single session is
how they would speak somethingout loud and you could hear them
hear it for the first time andbe like, wait a minute, you
know, whether it was a problemwhere they're like, wait, what
did I just say?
And I'd be like, exactly.
(31:26):
Do you want to try it?
You know?
And they're like, no, why am Ieven thinking of it this way?
Or because they've made adecision that moment, somebody's
like, you know, I decided I'mnot doing that anymore, or I'm
going to go for this.
And everybody's like, yes.
And there's just this otherlevel of confidence and clarity
that they get coming out ofthat.
And I just don't think we shouldhave to do all that alone.
It would be so much to do allthat by yourself.
(31:47):
Why?
No, it's not.
And it's not as fun.
SPEAKER_00 (31:51):
Yeah.
And then what I found is that,and, you know, in terms of
having that clarity, I foundthat, you know, cause we had
questions that we would gothrough, you know, during the
coaching call.
What I came with that seemed tobe like an issue that I wasn't
able to really wrap my mindaround, as I would share, I'd be
like, oh, I actually haveclarity on how I would like to
(32:11):
approach this going back thefollowing.
And so that was really helpful,like to vocalize it and then
understand, oh, actually I dohave a way out because I'm
sharing it.
And then I'm also getting inputfrom my colleagues.
SPEAKER_03 (32:25):
Yes.
Yeah.
Good input.
Exactly.
Like quality input.
Yeah.
Because people really come like,okay, let's figure this out.
you know it's not just like woeis me it's like no no we're
gonna find a way and so you'vegot a wonderful group of minds
who actually all know yoursituation too because I think
that's important it's like thewhole informed believers thing
it's like people who also knowyeah I know how fellowships work
(32:46):
or I know how this like peopleare already in the mix with you
and so yeah I think you hearreally unique you hear creative
ideas and we always find a wayout is the thing we always find
a way like okay that's a greatnext step let's go and I think
that really right there is thedifference between momentum in
your career or just spendingmonths stuck on this thing or
(33:08):
that thing or whatever.
I mean, then months turned intoyears.
So Sharon, this is so lovely.
I clearly could talk to you allday.
This was so fun.
Is there anything final thatyou'd like to share before you
wrap up?
SPEAKER_00 (33:20):
I think one of the things I was going to mention
about the sessions that was so,I mean, was just such a humbling
experience was to hear otherpeople's wins because that told
me that it can be done And Ithink I remember clearly one of
the participants sharing how,you know, she was able to do her
publications.
She was able to submit thegrants and she had all these
other publications and it justsort of spoke to me in a
(33:43):
different way.
And then it kept happening, youknow, like we kept hearing all
these amazing things that peoplewere doing.
And so for me to also justemphasize, you know what, it
actually can be done.
And from them, what is it thatthey did to, you know, navigate
that so that I can also do it sotangible it's
SPEAKER_03 (34:03):
feasible right it's not just well you hope fingers
crossed it's like no thesepeople are in community with you
so what exactly did you do howdid you think about this how did
you format that yeah I agreeit's wonderful thank you so much
Sharon this was so lovely I'm soexcited that you went to that
journal club I'm excited thatyou kept following your instinct
(34:23):
to move forward and you joinedthe community and thank you for
sharing so openly with ourcommunity here and Tell folks
where they can find you if theywant to hear more about the work
that you do or the work thatyou're going to be doing soon
with medical education, AI andor antimicrobial stewardship.
SPEAKER_00 (34:42):
Yes, I can be found on, I guess, X right now.
My name, Sharon Onguti on X, yetto have an Instagram account,
but then I can also be reachedout through email.
That's my first name, Sharon.
My last name, Onguti,O-N-G-U-T-I at V as in Vic, We
love it.
SPEAKER_03 (35:08):
Thank you so much, Sharon.
By the way, I was born inNashville, Tennessee, girl.
So I, yes, I have a closeconnection.
Yes, I'm a hairy hospital.
Yes.
So I have a close connection.
This was lovely.
I hope you have a wonderful restof your day.
Y'all who are listening, takecare.
I love you and I mean it.
Bye.
Bye.
SPEAKER_00 (35:26):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_03 (35:26):
Thank you for tuning in to the You're Unapologetic If
you're interested in gynecologichealth, make sure to sign up for
(35:58):
my newsletter, Dr.
Dr.
Kemi Dole and the womb atwww.kemidole.com slash womb.
It comes out once a month andit's packed with valuable
insights.
For those looking to enhancetheir careers, you can join our
career foundation series forexclusive tips at
www.kemidole.com slashfoundations.
(36:22):
This also comes out monthly andis a great way to keep your
career on the right track.
And finally, if you're a womanof color faculty in academic We
can connect in all types ofways.
(36:45):
You can follow me on socialmedia at my full government
name, Kemi Dole, K-E-M-I-D-O-L-Lfor daily inspiration and
updates.
Thank you again for being partof our community.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.