The Connection Maker

Dr. Sharon Monet Sifford Wilson is a powerful matchmaker who helps connect others with the right resources.

WITH OVER 30 YEARS IN CLINICAL MEDICINE, DR. SHARON MONET SIFFORD WILSON HAS ACHIEVED A LOT including 13 years of full-time clinical medical practice, holding Medical Affairs leadership roles with extensive global exposure, and managing teams of other medical professionals.

But one of her proudest accomplishments is the advancement she’s helped others achieve. “I’m a pay-it-forward kind of person. So, I like the idea of advancing opportunities and making opportunities for the next person,” she explains. That’s why she feels called to connect others to who and what they need to achieve their goals. It was that type of connection that led Monet to join WOCIP nearly eight years ago after attending a National Medical Association and University of the Maryland School of Medicine reception with founder, Dr. Charlotte Burton-Jones.

“As Black women physicians working for large companies, our stories were very similar. We felt very isolated. We were the only Blacks working in our divisions,” she says.

This common understanding and shared experience helped her during a time when it was a lonely journey. “This is what we need. We need this sisterhood. And then we started realizing there were many others who felt similarly at their respective companies,” she says.

Mentorship is so meaningful to her because it creates connections and experiences people are looking for and needing. “Some of my friends and family, especially my friends, call me a connector because I love connecting people to programs, opportunities,and resources,” she says.

She explains further, “I’ve always felt it was my mission to align people. There is so much you can learn from the small things people tell you. So, being receptive to mentorship and being a mentor is key to helping people grow. I think it’s an obligation for us to help, especially when you have so few people in that space. It’s just part of my DNA, I think.”

Here, Monet shares her three most memorable mentor moments.

Moment #1

I’ll never forget when my nephew was about 12, he said, “One day, I will fly, I’m going to be a pilot.” In order to expose my children and nephew to careers in aviation, I placed them in the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals free summer program at Delaware State University. They work with African American pilots, hear about the history of minorities in aviation and get to fly. My daughter flew solo at 15! In their first year, African American pilots and people of color who worked in the air industry embraced and educated them. Whether or not they wanted to become pilots, they realized there were other career opportunities in aviation. I threw life options against the wall to see what would stick. He played football at Purdue on a full scholarship and entered its professional flight program. He had many scholarship offers but chose Purdue because of its amazing aviation program. After playing in the NFL, he became a pilot. It’s incredible what happens when people are exposed to options and opportunities.

Moment #2

Over the last 35 years of my membership, I have mentored younger members of the National Medical Association, and it’s been extremely rewarding. The Harvards and Stanfords of the world have a lot of minority students who are the only or one of few in their class. It can often feel very isolating. I help these students and young physicians navigate through college and get through medical school with their minds intact and their direction clear. Everyone’s paths hasn’t been sunny. Some have struggled through challenges and felt like they wanted to give up. But I was their cheerleader and supporter. One mentee became the head of public health in Delaware. Another one heads up a major health organization in Washington, D.C., and worked at the White House for several years. So, to me, that’s gratifying to see them fulfill their goals and prosper. As a student and intern, and when I joined the pharmaceutical industry, people did the same for me. I wanted to do the same too. At a critical point in someone’s life journey, you never know how your words, your attention, and your actions will affect them.

Moment #3

Recently, someone reconnected with me on social media. She asked, “Do you remember me? I was the college student who got sick one night when you were on call.” She continued, “Do you remember when you saved my life?” I called her out-of-state parents and explained her illness at the time. She remembered me—and my name—after over 25 years. Well, that kind of thing just makes you joyful. Being in a position where your path and your years of training can help save a life is fulfilling, and it’s a blessing to be an influence on others. I’m not in clinical practice anymore, but I’m joyful about my work in pharma now. With all of my corporate medical roles and through WOCIP, I still feel as if I’m impacting lives on a larger scale.

I’ve always felt it was my MISSION to connect people.

Monet's Tips for a Meaningful Mentor/Mentee Relationship

1. IT IS NOT THE MENTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU.

You shouldn’t expect your mentor to work harder for you than you are willing to for yourself.

2. SPEAK UP AND COMMUNICATE.

I can’t assume that you want what I want for you. As a mentor, I need you to communicate effectively and honestly. You should tell me what you’re trying to get out of this relationship. It can’t be just me always talking to you.

3. KNOW YOUR GOALS.

If you’re going to ask someone to mentor you, then you must come prepared with questions. You must have a vision. Rather than develop your purpose, my role is to guide and advise, not chart your course.