Mentorship Creates Ripples That Last a Lifetime

One of many reflections from APHA 2025

Conferences are a great professional gathering. Attending conferences gives us opportunities to reconnect, reflect, and reignite purpose. It is also an opportunity to share our work. At the recent American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., I had the honor and privilege to present some of our research and innovations regarding creating the Election Lab Game, the End of Imperial Game, and improving civic health, sleep health, and interest in health and science careers. 

Attending this large convention with over 11000 participants reinforced that these events can be transformative. They are a place to learn. They are also a place to celebrate shared progress and exchange ideas. 

One of the encounters at the APHA2025 reminded me again about the power of mentorship, collaboration, and education in action. All of this takes time, but it is a well-invested time. 

I have been teaching UCLA medical students since 2007. Before that, I was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine VCF at the Stanford School of Medicine. Over many years of working with students and trainees, it has been a privilege to witness countless stories of growth and discovery. 

This year again, it was great to reconnect with my colleague Michelle Garcia Navarro from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Our brief conversation sparked memories but also a sense of gratitude.

UCLA’s School of Public Health continues to expand its reach and impact. It offers many many programs that span from undergraduate BA and BS degrees in public health to advanced master’s and doctoral programs in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, Community Health Sciences, Health Policy & Management, and many more. 

The growth of their undergraduate program has been particularly exciting. That program is opening pathways for more students to enter the field of public health.

At Indelible Learning, we have had the honor to support several UCLA public health students in a variety of ways. Those included mentorship, advising, or remote research experiences and internships. We have led those Indelible Learning initiatives on a volunteer basis while balancing the day-to-day demands of running a small business. At times, that was not a small task. There were no external resources or funding for these efforts. But what we have had is a shared belief that investing in students’ potential is always worth it.

And it was.

Some of those students have already achieved remarkable milestones: research they participated in was presented at international conferences. Or, they will appear as co-authors on a peer-reviewed manuscript. And some have already gotten into graduate schools. Watching students grow from curious undergraduates into confident researchers or emerging professionals is one of the most rewarding outcomes of our mentorship mission and dedication to mentoring.

Supporting learners from education to early career is not an add-on to our work.

As a matter of fact, that is at the core of who we are. Our team at Indelible Learning has mentored many students from middle and high school to undergraduate and graduate students to professionals. We provided opportunities for hands-on science research, data literacy, and participation in digital health innovation and global public health projects. Many of our mentees have gone on to graduate programs, fellowships, and meaningful careers in science, medicine, or education.

Seeing Michelle again at #APHA2025 brought back memories of our insightful discussions at #APHA2023 in Atlanta. In Atlanta, our discussions included Dr. Kyle McJunkin and Dr. Julianne Chen as well. While we missed them at the #APHA2025 in Washington, DC, they continue to do great work of advancing education and public health. 

Meeting with Michelle this year was brief but nonetheless inspiring. It triggered a reflection. It reminded me that mentorship and collaboration form the foundation of progress in every discipline.

At Indelible Learning, we lead with empathy and purpose. And, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for shaping the future.

Mentorship begins when someone believes in a student’s potential. At Indelible Learning, we always do. That has been a recurring activity for any academic, clinical, or other positions I have held (or still hold).

Mentorship is at the core of who I am.

Mentorship is at the core of who we are.

But mentorship doesn’t end when a student graduates. 

Mentorship creates ripples that last a lifetime.

Mentorship multiplies. 

And that in turn creates growth and exponential impact.