About the Forum
Intentional Mentorship for the Most Formative Stage of Your Career
The early transition from fellowship to independent practice is where clinical identity, technical depth, and professional direction are shaped — and where the right mentor can meaningfully accelerate growth.
MINDset is designed to meet that need. Rather than generic career advice, mentees are matched with mentors based on up to five specific growth targets identified during the application process — aligning participants with mentors who have relevant expertise and the capacity to guide real progress.
The program promotes accountability and progress: mentees articulate their 2–5 year goals, identify what they hope to gain from mentorship, and clarify how they want to contribute to ASPN and the broader field of interventional pain medicine.
Who Should Apply
MINDset is designed for: current pain medicine fellows and early-career physicians entering the most formative stage of professional development.
Purpose-Driven Matching
Mentors are selected based on mentee-stated goals — not generic pairing algorithms.
Advanced Procedural Focus
Dedicated pathways in minimally invasive spine and neuromodulation for real-world practice demands.
In-Person Connection
Mentor–mentee pairs meet face-to-face at the ASPN Annual Meeting in July 2026.
Mentorship Focus Areas
Targeted Growth in What Matters Most
Participants select up to five areas they want to focus on, ensuring mentor matching reflects real goals and growth targets.
Career
Career Development & Leadership
Strategic guidance on professional trajectory, leadership roles, and positioning within the field of interventional pain medicine.
- Leadership & organizational roles
- Academic vs. private practice paths
- ASPN committee involvement
Practice
The Business of Pain
Real-world guidance on building and sustaining a successful interventional pain practice from physicians who have done it.
- Practice structure & models
- Marketing & referral development
- Billing & reimbursement realities
Procedures
Minimally Invasive Spine
High-acuity procedural mentorship in advanced MIS techniques, aligned with evolving standards of care.
- Endoscopic spinal procedures
- Sacroiliac fusion & spacer techniques
- Intradiscal procedures & BVN ablation
Procedures
Neuromodulation
Expert mentorship across the expanding spectrum of neuromodulation therapies shaping modern pain practice.
- Dorsal column & epidural stimulation
- DRG & peripheral nerve stimulation
- Targeted drug delivery
2026 Program Timeline
Key Dates
April 8, 2026
MINDset Launch & Kickoff Webinar
The program officially launches with a kickoff webinar introducing MINDset to prospective mentors and mentees.
Don’t Miss It
MINDset to Mentorship
Kickoff Webinar
Join ASPN for the official MINDset program launch and kickoff webinar. Learn about the program structure, hear from program leaders, and get your questions answered before applications open.
Whether you’re a fellow exploring mentorship opportunities or an experienced physician ready to give back to the next generation of interventional pain physicians, this webinar is the place to start.