The annual Kenan Lectureship was established by Patrick D. Kenan, a distinguished faculty member in the Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (now Head and Neck Surgery & Communications Sciences department) from 1963 to 2002. Kenan was deeply committed to the education of both medical students and residents.
Each year, a faculty member nominates a mentor for the lectureship who has played a pivotal role in their education and early academic career. This year, Jeffrey Cheng, MD, FACS, nominated his mentor, Marita Teng, MD, FACS, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Marita Teng is Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Having attended undergraduate and medical school in Houston at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine, she then completed residency training at Mount Sinai, followed by head and neck/microvascular reconstruction fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Dr. Teng is an expert in head and neck surgical oncology, reconstructive surgery of the head and neck, and salivary gland diseases and tumors. She is also the Residency Program Director for the largest otolaryngology training program in the country at Mount Sinai, which recruits 6 residents per year.
Outside of her clinical research contributions in head and neck oncology and reconstruction, Dr. Teng has also focused on projects related to improving the training and well-being of otolaryngology residents. She is a past President of the Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization and remains committed to studying and utilizing modern and novel methods in surgical education and formative feedback.
Dr. Teng delivered a presentation titled "OK Zoomer! Surgical Education Beyond Millennialism and Through the Pandemic," emphasizing the significance of mentorship in shaping medical professionals. She discussed the advantages of peer coaching and the vital role of mentors, drawing from her own experiences. The presentation also explored the characteristics of different generations, their learning styles, and how to consider those characteristics when coaching and mentoring trainees. Dr. Teng underscored that effective mentorship requires humility and curiosity.