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Work, like worship, involves ‘spirit of service’by Heather WoolwinePublic Relations Growing up in rural Adams Run, S.C., Deborah Deas’ parents instilled in her a great life lesson—work is like worship and if you put the spirit of service into your work, then there is nothing you can't achieve. “They didn’t have the same opportunities that I did, so that drives me to a great extent in my professional career,” said Deas, M.D., associate dean for the College of Medicine admissions, MUSC Psychiatry professor and director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). Deas’ professional successes are numerous, ranging from nationally-known research and therapies pertaining to adolescent substance abuse issues to a well-known reputation as an excellent teacher and mentor on campus. “It was a mentor of mine, Miriam DeAntonio, M.D., who opened my eyes during my psychiatry rotation at the VA to the various paths one could pursue by going into psychiatry,” Deas said. “Originally, I thought that I would go into family medicine but psychiatry offered me the opportunity to treat physical and mental problems at the same time, and I like the biopsychosocial approach to treating those patients.” A College of Charleston graduate in biology, Deas completed a master’s degree in public health at the University of South Carolina before earning her doctorate from MUSC. As the only black resident in psychiatry at that time, Deas relied on Steve McLeod-Bryant, M.D., Psychiatry, and Bill Carson, M.D., Psychiatry, when it was time to address cultural issues related to patients unaccustomed to African-American physicians, as well as clinical issues pertinent to black patients. “I don’t think that gender or race matters, but it is really important that there is a good fit between mentor and mentee,” Deas said. “And it is also important that women avail themselves to other women, providing there is that fit, because there are fewer women in the higher positions.” Concerning research and grant writing advice, Deas looked to Kathleen Brady, M.D., Ph.D., Psychiatry, and Carrie Randall, Ph.D., Psychiatry. “Dr. Randall taught me how to write grants and I credit her mentorship for the NIH grants that I have received,” she said. Ray Anton, M.D., Psychiatry, was her mentor for clinical and pharmacologic trials. Anton and Randall served as co-mentors on her K-award for career development. “I sought out mentors that had similiar interests as I did, and the relationships began informally,” Deas said. “I think a more informal process works because you can get a feel for whether or not you and another individual can work together. Once you agree to have a mentoring relationship, the process should become more formalized. Both sides should set clear expectations and articulate them. As a mentor, I set very high expectations and I’m careful to make sure my mentee knows what is expected. In return, I do my best to assist the mentee in his or her goals.” Deas explained that mentoring relationships should also be bidirectional, meaning that both individuals should get a lot from each other. “Mentors should be willing and selfless enough to help someone develop their career, even if that person’s status develops beyond the mentor’s,” she said. “And the mentee has to be willing to accept feedback and constructive criticism in order to be productive.” A research mentor to numerous child/psychiatry fellows and medical students, Deas started clinical and educational services for adolescent substance abuse when she joined the faculty. She developed ASAP while serving as an inpatient attending for the program. “I like working along the developmental line because I feel strongly that if we intervene early, some problems seen in adulthood may be prevented or mitigated,” she said. “Most patients that are seen as adults have problems that stem from issues in their childhood or adolescence. You can’t prevent everything, but with early intervention, you can expect better outcomes, especially now that we know so many things have genetic predispositions.” A big believer in balance, Deas won’t eat lunch at her desk and is glad that daughters, Nasim and Taharih Nesmith, make her break from her professional pursuits long enough to enjoy the other things that make life worth living. And it’s this combination of professionalism and life appreciation that many people seek in a mentor. Deas sees hope for those on campus still searching for someone and is glad that the issue has become so popular. “I think improvement is on the way,” she said. “Mentoring is a highlighted topic that Dr. Raymond, our provost, said he wants to put resources behind. Dean Reves said that faculty mentoring is a goal for the College of Medicine. But I don’t think we should wait for the administration to come up with a universitywide formalized policy, instead we should become empowered to seek out good mentoring relationships on our own.” Friday, March 18, 2005
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