Discovering the Pancreas Through Mentorship and Collaboration 

Anna Evans Phillips, MD, shares her unconventional journey from a history major to a physician-scientist in pancreatology. A transformative research fellowship introduced her to pancreas research, mentorship, and the value of collaboration. Dr. Evans Phillips also shares how organizations like The NPF and CAPER can play key roles one’s professional development, offering community, resources, and opportunities for growth.

A Career-Changing Fellowship

I was a history major as an undergraduate and I initially considered careers in history or law, but ultimately, they didn’t feel like the right fit. I wanted something more hands-on, something that connected with people in a deeply personal way, where I was able to make an impact.

Through a linkage program from the University of Pennsylvania’s post-baccalaureate program, I was admitted to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The first couple of years of medical school were tough. I felt like I didn’t have the same foundation as some of my classmates, but that also gave me a unique perspective.

A pivotal moment came during my third year, when I was awarded the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship. That experience introduced me to Dr. David Whitcomb, a leader in pancreatology and to a field I knew little about—the pancreas. Pancreas research wasn’t something I was initially drawn to, but working with Dr. Whitcomb and the team opened my eyes to how the field was evolving and the incredible potential it had. This opportunity gave me a whole new way to think about advancing medicine, challenging known medical paradigms, and learning new workflows. During my Gastroenterology Fellowship, I was fortunate to re-connect with Dr. Whitcomb and the pancreas research group at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Power of Team Science and a Collaborative Environment

At the University of Pittsburgh, I was part of a large, collaborative pancreas research group, where I was surrounded by experts in genetics, epidemiology, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and biomarker discovery. What was really impactful was not just the brilliance of the lead investigators, but the entire team effort—coordinators, statisticians, administrators. Everyone played a role in supporting patients and moving the research forward. I credit much of my development to this multidisciplinary environment and teaching me how successful projects come together and underscore the value of team-based science.

My mentors at the University of Pittsburgh also introduced me to colleagues outside the institution, which broadened my network and perspectives. This extended mentorship was instrumental in shaping me as a researcher. For those without immediate access to mentors within their university or department, there are abundant opportunities to find guidance and collaboration in the broader research community. This is especially true in fields that study rare diseases, where cooperation is vital to advancing science and patient care.

In 2017, I experienced another critical moment in my career that exemplifies the power of collaboration. I was introduced to a team of researchers from Denmark who were exploring applications for quantitative sensory testing (QST) in patients with painful chronic pancreatitis. Despite their advanced medical infrastructure, they faced a limitation in patient numbers and were seeking international partners to scale their study. I was eager to learn their techniques and contribute to expanding research in pancreatic pain—a shared interest that led to an exciting opportunity for growth.

That year, Dr. Dhiraj Yadav organized a gathering in Pittsburgh that brought together this Danish team—Dr. Asbjørn Mohr Drewes, Dr. Søren Olesen, and nurse coordinator Isabel Larsen—along with Dr. Vikesh Singh and Dr. Mahya Faghih from Johns Hopkins. Together, we learned and practiced QST methods, sparking a research initiative that none of us could have predicted would blossom into a long-term international collaboration. Since then, our group has evolved into the International Pancreatic Pain Consortium, encompassing around 15 centers worldwide. Each center includes a principal investigator and a team of trainees or coordinators. This network has not only led to multiple research projects, but it has also become a living example of how mentorship and collaboration can arise organically and drive innovation forward.

What Makes a Great Mentor and The Role of the Mentee

In my experience, what’s been key for me in finding a mentorship has been:

a. Being Open. A mentor must be approachable and willing to invest time in teaching, giving advice and having the bandwidth to collaborate, where it simultaneously involves teaching.

b. Responsiveness. This is certainly important as a natural mentor/mentee relationship as there has a to be back and forth.

c. Trust. As a young researcher, I need to have faith that this person has my best interests in mind. That this person will be respectful of my time and efforts and whatever issues come along the way, that you know you can work together.

As a mentee, it’s equally important to be open to new ideas, take in constructive criticism, and open to change in ways I do things. I also need to be responsive in providing answers that are accurate and truthful, and be realistic about my own capabilities and deadlines. Respecting your mentor’s time and maintaining open communication builds the trust necessary for mutual success. Other qualities that I look for are in a new mentoring relationship:

d. Space to Succeed and Fail. I’ve been very lucky to have mentors who not only supported me but also opened doors and allowed me to learn from my mistakes. They helped me find direction when things didn’t go well, and they gave me space to figure things out on my own.

e. Opening Doors. Being a mentor isn’t just about giving advice—it’s about creating opportunities, being present in both successes and failures, and allowing the mentee the room to grow.

e. Kindness. Beyond experience, there are core values that I look for in my mentors. One of these core values is kindness. In academic medicine, the pressure to perform is constant, to do things faster and compete with the person next to you. Patients can do the darndest things and the system is such that you often don’t have enough time or rest to take care of yourself. But no matter how tired or overwhelmed you are, kindness is always appreciated. It can change someone’s day—and when I think of my mentors, I think of moments of kindness.  Kindness can often be overlooked in high-pressure environments, but it can be a powerful force. It helps build community, foster trust, and create a culture where mentorship and collaboration can truly flourish.

When seeking a mentor, I would suggest thinking about your goals.  Do you want to develop a skill, learn how to navigate complex cases, or gain career advice? Being clear about that helps you seek the right kind of guidance.

Mentorship Lessons That Shaped My Career

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned and now I try to pass onto others is the importance of staying true to yourself and prioritizing what is important to you. You need to be clear about what you want, both from your career and your life. Whether it’s pursuing professional success or starting a family, it’s vital to make intentional decisions and honor those goals. There may be things that you have to decide not to do to be able to do the things most important to you—and that’s okay. Learning to prioritize what truly matters helps in achieving long-term success and fulfillment. The best mentors helped me remember the importance of balance—reminding me not to lose sight of my family and personal well-being while pursuing professional goals.

Another lesson I’ve seen from my mentors is the lesson of trying, even when there’s a risk of failure. Trying can be scary, but it’s also really rewarding. Trying with the possibility of failure is hard, but some of the failures can be instrumental in teaching you better ways to do things. This growth mindset—learning through trial, error, and persistence—has helped me move forward personally and professionally.

Giving Back: Becoming a Mentor

I’ve had people all along the professional trajectory – from medical students to early-career professionals –  ask me to guide them through research projects and career transitions. Interestingly, mentoring others has helped me become a better mentee. When I see somebody asking me for something, it teaches me about what I might need from my mentors. I also have to be realistic about what I can offer to mentees. This can be hard as it takes time to invest in someone’s career, and I want to be responsive when they need something. It goes back to being open and knowing what I can offer.

Finding Mentorship Opportunities and the Lasting Impact of The NPF

The field of Pancreatology is growing.  For Fellows and early-career physicians wondering how to find mentorship, I suggest looking for opportunities both within and beyond their institutions that are formal and informal where you can connect with an experienced provider or researcher. The National Pancreas Foundation’s (NPF) Fellows Symposium is one of these, and is an unparalleled opportunity for finding mentorship. It brings together mentors across all subspecialties in pancreatic disease—malignant, benign, therapeutic, and non-therapeutic. I started going to the NPF Fellows Symposium in 2010 and it was eye-opening and overwhelming at first, but it was an opportunity to meet leaders in the field and learn more about pancreatitis. Over the years, attending these events helped me build lasting relationships with other researchers, many of whom I now collaborate with on ongoing projects across institutions.

As an early Fellow, it meant a lot for a foundation to support my travel, take care of me while I was there, and be able to meet others who were interested in pancreas research. When I returned to the Fellows Symposium as a speaker and mentor over 10 years later, the Symposium was bigger and better with more expertise. I’ve always had the impression that The NPF is very supportive for people who are doing good work and who want to move the field forward as there is no cure for pancreatitis.  As my career progressed, The NPF became more than a resource—it became a hub for professional connection and collaborative research with others involved in The NPF.  And beyond the science, the NPF brings a sense of community and fun—whether through running the Marine Corps Marathon or participating in other events, all with the shared goal of improving patients’ quality of life.

I also recommend the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education and Research (CAPER), which offers visiting fellowships and structured research mentorship.

Also, with the rise of virtual platforms, additional mentorship opportunities have become more accessible. Online case conferences, webinars via The NPF, and multi-institutional collaborations are creating new avenues for learning and networking. The opportunities continue to grow.

Dr. Evans Phillips and the International Pancreatic Pain Consortium. This picture showcases mentors and mentees at all stages.