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Education Initiatives

Young GESA Mentorship Initiative

Build your network. Grow your career. Give back to the profession.

The Young GESA Executive Network is proud to offer the Young GESA Mentorship Initiative—a program designed to connect members through meaningful mentoring relationships that support professional growth, career development and lifelong learning.

Whether you are seeking guidance as an emerging gastroenterologist or looking to share your experience as a mentor, the program provides a structured and rewarding opportunity to strengthen the profession and support the next generation of leaders.

Program Objectives

The Young GESA Mentorship Initiative aims to:

  • Support the professional and personal development of GESA members through meaningful mentoring relationships.
  • Foster an inclusive, diverse and connected gastroenterology community across Australia.
  • Encourage collaboration between members from different regions, career stages and practice settings.
  • Build leadership capability while supporting career planning, confidence and professional growth.

For Mentees

As a mentee, you will work with an experienced mentor to identify your professional goals and develop a practical plan to achieve them.

Through the program you will have the opportunity to:

  • Expand your professional network.
  • Gain insights from experienced gastroenterologists.
  • Build confidence in clinical and professional practice.
  • Develop leadership and career planning skills.
  • Receive guidance in navigating key career decisions.

The mentoring relationship is driven by the mentee. You will be responsible for setting goals, organising meetings and leading discussions that support your development.

The program is designed to support career development and professional growth. It is not intended to provide employment or job placement opportunities.

For Mentors

Mentoring is an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the profession while continuing your own professional development.

As a mentor you will:

  • Support the development of emerging gastroenterologists.
  • Develop your leadership, coaching and communication skills.
  • Share your knowledge and experience.
  • Gain fresh perspectives from early-career colleagues.
  • Help strengthen the future of gastroenterology in Australia.

The program focuses on mentoring and professional development rather than employment or recruitment opportunities.

Eligibility

Mentees

Applicants must:

  • Be a current GESA member (including Advanced Trainees).
  • Have held FRACP for no more than eight years.
  • Priority will be given to early-career gastroenterologists, followed by Advanced Trainees.

Mentors

Applicants must:

  • Be a current GESA member.
  • Have held FRACP for a minimum of two years.

Program Commitment

Mentoring partnerships are expected to meet:

  • At least once every two months.
  • Either virtually (for example via Zoom or Microsoft Teams) or in person.
  • Using communication methods agreed between mentor and mentee during the first meeting.

Responsibilities

Mentees

Mentees are encouraged to take ownership of the mentoring relationship by:

  • Defining clear professional and personal goals.
  • Leading discussions and setting meeting agendas.
  • Organising meetings and respecting agreed commitments.
  • Being open about challenges and development opportunities.
  • Demonstrating professionalism throughout the program.

Mentors

Mentors are expected to:

  • Foster an open, supportive and non-judgemental environment.
  • Commit to regular mentoring conversations.
  • Honour agreed meeting commitments.
  • Maintain appropriate contact between meetings.
  • Provide constructive, honest feedback.
  • Respect confidentiality.
  • Listen actively and encourage meaningful discussion.

Expected Outcomes

The program aims to:

  • Support mentees in achieving their identified professional goals.
  • Create rewarding mentoring partnerships based on shared interests and career aspirations.
  • Increase member satisfaction and engagement.
  • Strengthen connections across the Australian gastroenterology community.

Matching Process

Mentors and mentees are matched by the Young GESA Executive Network Mentoring Subcommittee using information provided in their profiles, including:

  • Career stage
  • Location
  • Training hospital
  • Professional interests
  • Areas of practice
  • Personal interests and hobbies

Please allow up to four weeks for mentor matching following submission of your expression of interest.

Register Your Interest

Expressions of Interest are currently closed and will reopen in September 2026.

 

Rural, Remote and Indigenous Program

Supporting Better Digestive Health Across Australia

GESA is committed to improving access to high-quality gastroenterology and hepatology care for people living in rural, regional, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Through the Rural, Remote and Indigenous Program, GESA supports clinicians, hospitals and communities by strengthening specialist capability, expanding education and mentorship opportunities, and helping improve access to high-quality digestive healthcare regardless of geography.

Working in partnership with health services, members and local communities, the program aims to reduce health inequities while building a sustainable specialist workforce across Australia.

Regional, Remote and Indigenous Fellowship

The GESA Regional, Remote and Indigenous Fellowship supports gastroenterology trainees who are passionate about rural, regional and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

The Fellowship provides opportunities to further specialist training while developing the knowledge, skills and experience needed to deliver high-quality care in communities where specialist services are often limited.

By supporting future leaders in rural medicine, the Fellowship helps strengthen local capability and improve long-term health outcomes.

Travelling Professor Program

The GESA Travelling Professor Program complements the Fellowship by bringing experienced gastroenterologists directly to regional and remote health services.

Visiting professors provide:

  • One-on-one mentorship for Fellows.
  • Clinical teaching and case-based education.
  • Professional development for local healthcare teams.
  • Knowledge sharing that strengthens specialist capability across regional services.

The program creates valuable opportunities for collaboration while supporting clinicians working in geographically isolated settings.

Endoscopy Outreach Program

The GESA Endoscopy Outreach Program delivers practical, multidisciplinary education to healthcare professionals providing gastroenterology services in rural, regional and remote communities.

Training is tailored to local needs and may include:

  • Gastroenterologists
  • Surgeons
  • Nurses
  • Allied health professionals

By strengthening local skills and capability across the entire care team, the program supports safer procedures, improved patient outcomes and greater access to specialist digestive healthcare closer to home.

Building Health Equity Together

Improving health outcomes for rural, regional, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians requires long-term collaboration, education and investment.

Through its Fellowship, Travelling Professor and Endoscopy Outreach initiatives, GESA continues to invest in clinicians, strengthen local health services and support more equitable access to gastroenterology and hepatology care across Australia.

Together with our members, health services and partners, we are helping build a future where every Australian has access to high-quality digestive healthcare—regardless of where they live.

 

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