ASPN Mentorship Program · 2026
Mentorship in Neuroscience & Development
A purpose-driven mentorship program built for pain medicine fellows and early-career physicians — pairing focused guidance with advanced procedural growth.
The promise
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.
Mentorship focus areas
When you apply, you identify up to five areas you want to focus on. MINDset uses these to match you with a mentor who has relevant expertise — ensuring your mentorship relationship is active, intentional, and oriented toward outcomes.
Career
Strategic guidance on professional trajectory, leadership roles, and positioning within the field of interventional pain medicine.
Practice
Real-world guidance on building and sustaining a successful interventional pain practice from physicians who have done it.
Procedures
High-acuity procedural mentorship in advanced MIS techniques, aligned with evolving standards of care.
Procedures
Expert mentorship across the expanding spectrum of neuromodulation therapies shaping modern pain practice.
2026 program timeline
This is the 2026 cycle on record. Applications have closed; matched pairs meet in person at the July Annual Meeting in Miami.
April 8, 2026
The program officially launches with a kickoff webinar introducing MINDset to prospective mentors and mentees.
View webinar detailsMay 14, 2026
The deadline for both mentor and mentee applications. Submit early — spots are limited.
End of May 2026
Matched pairs are notified and can begin connecting ahead of the Annual Meeting.
July 16–19, 2026
Mentor–mentee pairs connect in person at the ASPN Annual Meeting, beginning the active mentorship relationship.
Fontainebleau Miami BeachThe kickoff webinar
The program opened with the official MINDset launch and kickoff webinar — an introduction to the program structure, the program leaders, and the application process, with time for questions from prospective mentors and mentees.
Whether you're a fellow exploring mentorship opportunities or an experienced physician ready to give back to the next generation of interventional pain physicians, the webinar is the place to start.
Stay connected
MINDset exists to help fellows and early-career physicians develop not only advanced techniques, but the professional foundation that sustains a successful career in interventional pain medicine.
Fellows and early-career physicians — start with the kickoff webinar, then join ASPN to hear when the next cohort opens.
Experienced physicians ready to give back — join ASPN to be part of the next MINDset cycle.