This month’s Wahine Like Me interview features another of our award winning mentors, Lara Benoiton. She likes a good read, a good Netflix sesh and is big on supporting future female surgeons. We’d like to hang out with her permanently, but will settle for a quick chat and maybe a future karaoke-off…
KŌRERO with Lara Benoiton
Mentor
Hello Lara! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a surgical trainee (Ear, Nose & Throat) currently working in Christchurch, where I live with my husband and toddler. I’m a total bookworm. A holiday must have a new book for it to be a proper holiday. The older I get the more I appreciate being outdoors, and really want to share how wonderful New Zealand is with my daughter. We recently went on our first campervan holiday (who didn’t?). I’m sold on them! On the weekends I enjoy cooking, and have discovered that my husband and I are avid fans of Ru Paul’s ‘Drag Race’. When we’re not doing those two things, you’ll probably find us at the library or at a park with our daughter. Also, for the Pottermore fans, I’m a Ravenclaw.
How did you first hear about Wāhine Connect?
I was nominated to be a mentor by one of my mentors, but I’d heard about it through the NZ Women In Medicine Facebook group too.
What made you apply for a women-only mentorship programme?
I feel very strongly about having more female representation within surgery, and I’ve been lucky to have had female trainees and consultants that acted as mentors during my career, which I think heavily influenced my career choices. I’d like to have a positive influence on future female surgeons and this was a great platform through which to offer my help.
Any hesitations or concerns prior to becoming a mentor?
Probably that I didn’t have enough to offer honestly, but the feedback has been quite promising so I’d encourage others to join. We all have a perspective that’s worth sharing, and there’s a lot to be gained for both parties.
What would a meeting with your mentee mostly look like?
A Facetime chat (I suppose I’d have to think about non-iPhone users where the need arose but so far everyone’s been an Apple fan!).
How long would they last?
Somewhere between 30-60 minutes. Usually around an hour.
Have you found the process easy?
Super easy! The reminders were timely and a quick text to set up the Facetime chat was all it took.
Is the process more or less formal than you expected?
I think I found the process originally more formal than expected, but that’s probably because I was comparing it to my experience of ad-hoc conversations/meetings with mentors, while this is quite structured, which I think is good.
What has been the greatest benefit to being a mentor in the programme so far?
A feeling of giving back to the medical community, where I have received effort and support from other female mentors. I also think of it as an investment in my future. After all, I would love to work with more female colleagues and I think our profession would highly benefit from that.
What would be your top tip for getting the most out of the process?
Getting to know each other first to really appreciate each person’s perspective, and keeping up with the meetings.
Netflix or no? No question, Netflix is the best.
Favourite human ( alive or not)? Probably my daughter.
Go-to Karaoke song? Anything by Backstreet Boys!
