Jane E.B. Reusch, MD
Outstanding Mentor Award
Jane E.B. Reusch, MD, is a professor of medicine and biochemistry at the University of Colorado Denver and Denver VAMC, and associate director of the Center for Women’s Health Research in Denver, Colo. Her professional mission has been to extend her experience and expertise to train the next generation of diabetes researchers. Reusch has mentored 77 trainees through her research program ranging from students to senior faculty.
At the University of Colorado, Reusch continues to actively mentor pre- and post-doctoral fellows and directs the University of Colorado Pilot and Feasibility Program to fund diabetes researchers. She’s a leader in the university’s Women in Medicine and Science Leadership Training Program and Center for Women’s Health Research career development series. Reusch represented the Endocrine Society as chair of the FASEB Science Policy Clinical Research sub-committee focused on career development.
How has the Endocrine Society supported your professional development/career journey?
The Endocrine Society has been an academic home from fellowship until today. The opportunities made possible by the Endocrine Society increased my impact as a mentor and as a leader in translational research. More recently, I served on the ENDO planning committee where I was inspired by the systematic efforts to highlight early-career scientists and formally address DEI. In addition to committee work, the Endocrine Society has supported three under-represented summer scholars in my lab (all currently the field of research and medicine) and provided leadership opportunities for many of my formal and informal mentees. I am grateful to the Endocrine Society, and I look forward to reengaging with colleagues and dear friends in person at ENDO 2022.
As a Laureate Award recipient, do you have any advice for those just beginning their careers?
Do what you love. All jobs have pros and cons, so at the end of the day your job should bring you and your team joy. For me, being a physician-scientist is the world’s best job. It is my job to teach, see patients, and discover. If you are a scientist, find a question that you “need” to answer and build a network that enables you to address the question with rigor and integrity. Embrace new techniques and strategies and cultivate collaborations. Perseverance is the mantra and the imposter syndrome is the norm. However, if discovery fuels and inspires you, the hurdles are more than worth it. As we have learned with COVID-19, the world needs science. I have the great good fortune of a wonderful husband and fascinating children. Early in my career I faced the reality that there is no such thing as work/life balance. A happy life is a continuum of great and challenging priorities. So, embrace a career path that brings you joy, so that you will enjoy going to work most days for the next few decades. That will be success.
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