Identifying and Characterizing Sacred Moments between Mentors and Mentees in Academic Medicine
Martha Quinn, MPH, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Patient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Jessica Ameling, MPH, and Rachel Ehrlinger, BA, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Patient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Molly Harrod, PhD, Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Patient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Nathan Houchens, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Patient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and Sanjay Saint, MD, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Patient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
Physician-scientists are currently facing major challenges. Uncertainty related to future federal funding has led to upheaval and stress, particularly for those who depend upon federal grants for salary and research support. Further, physician burnout and system-level bureaucratic strain continue to negatively impact physician well-being.
Effective mentorship from trusted individuals, however, may help. Mentorship in academic medicine can be transformative for both mentors and mentees and is considered foundational to career development. Recent calls for more “mindful mentoring” include having mentors slow down, show empathy, and remain open and present for mentees, particularly during stressful times.
“Sacred moments”—short periods of time in which people experience a strong personal connection or deep interconnectedness with another person—have recently been described in clinical settings such as during hospitalization and in oncology units. Such moments evoke powerful emotions and may include spiritual qualities of transcendence and boundlessness, described as if “time stood still.” Research has shown that sacred moments may lead to lower physician burnout, increased meaning or purpose in work or life, job satisfaction, and spiritual well-being. While sacred moments have anecdotally been described to occur in mentoring relationships, we sought to formally study this phenomenon using qualitative methods.
Our exploratory study aimed to understand the occurrence of sacred moments between mentors and mentees, how these moments impact both parties, and how such impactful moments could be cultivated to help mitigate burnout and promote “flourishing.” We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with a purposefully-selected group of award-winning mentors from the University of Michigan. Interviews were conducted between July and October 2025 using Zoom teleconferencing, recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. We identified several themes.
A total of 15 mentors were interviewed, 8 males and 7 females, with an average of 24.5 years of experience post-residency (range: 15-44 years). Twelve interviewees were still faculty at the university where they received the mentoring award while 3 were faculty elsewhere. Preliminary themes were organized into three categories, described below.
Theme 1: Descriptions of Sacred Moments
Interviewees characterized these moments in varied ways including as “micro-moments” or short and meaningful moments that happen over time in long-term mentoring relationships; “aha moments” when there is a sudden realization (personal or professional); emotional moments when support and empathy are provided; or career development moments when trusted advice and guidance are given.
[N]ow talking of sacred moments, I think to me, from a mentor, I think that remains… the most memorable and most connected moments with any human being, honestly... #111
It’s the aha moment. The sacred moment is… oftentimes a turning point when the path is a little bit clearer than before. #101
It's almost never about the science when you have a sacred moment. It's more about the relationship with a mentee, where they feel safe to come to you with their story. #102
Theme 2: Precipitating Factors
Findings revealed several situational or contextual factors which appeared to foster sacred moments. These included times of struggle or stress, career transitions, or academic success and small wins. Interviewees also reported these were more likely to occur within trusting and longer-term mentorship relationships.
…it happens at extremes, I feel. So it’s extremes of pain or extremes of joy. #113
…the ones that come to mind are when you're celebrating sort of an achievement like sitting at this table [when] one of my postdocs signed her offer letter. #101
Theme 3: Impacts of Sacred Moments
Interviewees reported several benefits of experiencing sacred moments including that these moments helped to instill confidence, provide an opportunity for reflection, reminded them to stay focused on the big picture, and made them more grateful.
I think for me it gave me the confidence that I could have an academic career. And after my first mentor I was ready to give up science but having somebody who listened to me, gave me a project that was doable, and actually talked to me about my data… it made me realize that I can do this. #102
I think it really touched me. I mean… I’m very grateful. #111
*****
Our qualitative study of sacred moments within academic medicine mentoring relationships revealed 3 key findings. First, sacred moments are common but are described in ways different than sacred moments in a clinical environment. Second, such moments can be cultivated especially by long-term committed mentors. Finally, experiencing such moments—either as a mentee or mentor—can impact someone’s trajectory and sense of well-being.
Effective mentorship from trusted individuals, however, may help. Mentorship in academic medicine can be transformative for both mentors and mentees and is considered foundational to career development. Recent calls for more “mindful mentoring” include having mentors slow down, show empathy, and remain open and present for mentees, particularly during stressful times.
“Sacred moments”—short periods of time in which people experience a strong personal connection or deep interconnectedness with another person—have recently been described in clinical settings such as during hospitalization and in oncology units. Such moments evoke powerful emotions and may include spiritual qualities of transcendence and boundlessness, described as if “time stood still.” Research has shown that sacred moments may lead to lower physician burnout, increased meaning or purpose in work or life, job satisfaction, and spiritual well-being. While sacred moments have anecdotally been described to occur in mentoring relationships, we sought to formally study this phenomenon using qualitative methods.
Our exploratory study aimed to understand the occurrence of sacred moments between mentors and mentees, how these moments impact both parties, and how such impactful moments could be cultivated to help mitigate burnout and promote “flourishing.” We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with a purposefully-selected group of award-winning mentors from the University of Michigan. Interviews were conducted between July and October 2025 using Zoom teleconferencing, recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. We identified several themes.
A total of 15 mentors were interviewed, 8 males and 7 females, with an average of 24.5 years of experience post-residency (range: 15-44 years). Twelve interviewees were still faculty at the university where they received the mentoring award while 3 were faculty elsewhere. Preliminary themes were organized into three categories, described below.
Theme 1: Descriptions of Sacred Moments
Interviewees characterized these moments in varied ways including as “micro-moments” or short and meaningful moments that happen over time in long-term mentoring relationships; “aha moments” when there is a sudden realization (personal or professional); emotional moments when support and empathy are provided; or career development moments when trusted advice and guidance are given.
[N]ow talking of sacred moments, I think to me, from a mentor, I think that remains… the most memorable and most connected moments with any human being, honestly... #111
It’s the aha moment. The sacred moment is… oftentimes a turning point when the path is a little bit clearer than before. #101
It's almost never about the science when you have a sacred moment. It's more about the relationship with a mentee, where they feel safe to come to you with their story. #102
Theme 2: Precipitating Factors
Findings revealed several situational or contextual factors which appeared to foster sacred moments. These included times of struggle or stress, career transitions, or academic success and small wins. Interviewees also reported these were more likely to occur within trusting and longer-term mentorship relationships.
…it happens at extremes, I feel. So it’s extremes of pain or extremes of joy. #113
…the ones that come to mind are when you're celebrating sort of an achievement like sitting at this table [when] one of my postdocs signed her offer letter. #101
Theme 3: Impacts of Sacred Moments
Interviewees reported several benefits of experiencing sacred moments including that these moments helped to instill confidence, provide an opportunity for reflection, reminded them to stay focused on the big picture, and made them more grateful.
I think for me it gave me the confidence that I could have an academic career. And after my first mentor I was ready to give up science but having somebody who listened to me, gave me a project that was doable, and actually talked to me about my data… it made me realize that I can do this. #102
I think it really touched me. I mean… I’m very grateful. #111
*****
Our qualitative study of sacred moments within academic medicine mentoring relationships revealed 3 key findings. First, sacred moments are common but are described in ways different than sacred moments in a clinical environment. Second, such moments can be cultivated especially by long-term committed mentors. Finally, experiencing such moments—either as a mentee or mentor—can impact someone’s trajectory and sense of well-being.