Over the past two decades, Dr. Beth Frates has mentored more than 40 students, residents, and healthcare professionals across disciplines and stages of career development. From Harvard College and Harvard Medical School to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), Dr. Frates has cultivated future leaders in lifestyle medicine and beyond. Her mentees include physicians, researchers, nonprofit founders, curriculum developers, and global educators, many of whom have credited her with changing the course of their careers.
Beth Frates, MD, Associate Professor Part-Time at Harvard Medical School, Immediate Past President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), and founder of the non-profit “PAVING The Path To Wellness,” has spent her career shaping the future of lifestyle medicine through education, leadership, and one-on-one mentorship. She created Harvard’s first Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group in 2008 and continues to influence the field as an award-winning teacher, author, and wellness coach. Her mentorship style is distinct, rooted in listening, collaboration, and a passion for motivating others.
In September 2024, Dr. Frates was honored with the Women in Medicine “She for She” Mentorship Award, recognizing her long-standing commitment to uplifting women in medicine and transforming their lives through education, compassion, and opportunity.
This article brings together experiences from four of her mentees, each of whom has worked closely with Dr. Frates and benefited from her personal guidance.
- Ellie Enichen is a second-year medical student at Harvard Medical School and served as President of the Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group during the 2023–2024 academic year.
- Kiranmayi Kakumani, MD, is a hospitalist at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School.
- Megan Alexander, MD, MS, is an OB/GYN resident physician at Baylor College of Medicine.
- Erica Veazey is a family and lifestyle medicine physician committed to whole-person care, beginning her practice in Portland, Oregon this fall.
- Also featured: Jonathan Bonnet, MD; Mahima Gulati, MD; Michelle Tollefson, MD; Toqa Afifi, MD; Jeff Krauss, MD; and others.
- What do you find most engaging or impactful about Dr. Frates’ mentoring style?
Erica Veazey shared that what stands out most is Dr. Frates’ proactive approach. Rather than offering abstract advice, she turns ideas into specific, actionable steps. Erica described her as someone who doesn’t just suggest career goals but explains why each step matters personally and professionally. Her coach-like style empowers students to work with purpose.
Ellie Enichen emphasized how inclusive Dr. Frates is. She didn’t just assign Ellie to an existing project, she encouraged her to create her own. Ellie felt truly seen and supported, and she appreciated being welcomed into projects that aligned with her interests.
For Kiranmayi Kakumani, it was the way Dr. Frates listens without judgment and focuses on strengths. She provides encouragement during tough moments and makes it clear she’s invested in each student’s growth.
Megan Alexander highlighted how fully present Dr. Frates is in every interaction. She brings energy and focus, calls out potential in others, and uplifts everyone around her.
Others echoed these themes: active listening, deep empathy, inclusion, and authentic connection. Multiple mentees described Dr. Frates as “always present,” “genuinely invested,” and “humble despite her accomplishments.” Her ability to tailor support to each person’s goals was repeatedly noted.
- Which of Dr. Frates’ mentoring methods or activities has helped you the most in your career?
Erica Veazey recalled receiving the Donald Pegg Award, a scholarship Dr. Frates created in honor of her late father. The award gave Erica access to ACLM’s resources and encouraged her to found a Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group at her school, an early leadership opportunity that shaped her path.
Ellie Enichen spoke about being supported as she designed her own research study, which she presented at a conference and hopes to publish.
Kiranmayi Kakumani remembered a group session where Dr. Frates asked participants to share a “rainfall of responses” to each question. Every voice was acknowledged, creating a supportive, open environment that encouraged confidence.
Megan Alexander described how Dr. Frates helps mentees explore big academic decisions by listening and asking thoughtful questions rather than giving direct instructions. She also shared how Dr. Frates uses storytelling and “leads with love” to keep students grounded in the mission of helping others.
Other mentees emphasized her creative mentorship, such as helping design custom fellowships, connecting mentees with national leadership roles, and supporting the founding of wellness programs like LIVELY. Her “lead-by-doing” approach, whether through co-authorship or co-presenting, gave mentees both visibility and confidence.
- What aspects of Dr. Frates’ mentorship have been most valuable to you?
For Erica, the combination of collaboration and positivity has been crucial. Instead of offering fixed answers, Dr. Frates helps students explore their goals and align their plans with their values. When setbacks happen, she responds with problem-solving and perspective rather than criticism.
Ellie shared how she could count on Dr. Frates’ support in any pursuit, from academic goals to personal challenges like running a marathon.
Kiranmayi credited Dr. Frates for opening opportunities early in her career, such as presenting a poster and co-authoring a paper.
Megan appreciated that despite mentoring so many people, Dr. Frates always made time to offer tailored support and connect her with the right people and opportunities.
Additional responses mentioned her unwavering positivity, radical authenticity, and “walk-the-talk” integrity. Others noted her humility and brilliance as uniquely balanced—offering both encouragement and intellectual challenge.
- If you had to describe your experience as a mentee of Dr. Frates in one sentence, what would it be?
Erica described her experience as having a mentor who supports her deeply while guiding her toward personal and professional growth.
Ellie said Dr. Frates has actively included her in opportunities that align with her goals.
Kiranmayi expressed her gratitude for someone who has inspired both her career and her personal development.
Kiranmayi reflected that being a mentee of Dr. Frates has meant being supported by someone who inspires her both professionally and personally. She shared that Dr. Frates helped her grow through new opportunities and continues to be a guiding influence in her journey.
Megan summed it up simply: She feels indescribably grateful, not just for the direct mentorship but for the example Dr. Frates sets in how she approaches her work.
Other mentees described the experience as “life-changing,” “restorative,” and “career-defining.” One said, “Being mentored by Dr. Frates helped me find purpose when I was ready to leave medicine.”
- How has being mentored by Dr. Frates influenced your goals or aspirations in lifestyle medicine?
Erica shared that, coming from a non-medical family, she once felt unsure about her path. Dr. Frates showed her that success can be shaped by hard work and passion, not just tradition.
Ellie said that, thanks to Dr. Frates, she now believes lifestyle medicine can be part of any specialty. She plans to become a preventive cardiologist who uses the pillars of lifestyle medicine daily.
Kiranmayi reflected on presenting at ACLM and taking her board exam, both milestones that Dr. Frates encouraged. Now, she aims to make an impact similar to her mentor’s.
Megan spoke about how Dr. Frates has shown her the value of aligning career goals with the desire to help others. That perspective changed how she views her work as a physician.
Other mentees credited Dr. Frates with re-igniting their passion for medicine, introducing them to new specialties, and helping them envision and build entirely new programs in underrepresented countries or underserved populations.
- In your opinion, what should all mentors strive to do?
Erica believes mentors should walk beside their mentees, offering encouragement and helping them find their own way.
Ellie said mentors should create leadership opportunities and bring students into real-world projects.
Kiranmayi emphasized listening, inspiring, and helping mentees grow with confidence.
Megan noted that great mentors help you see your strengths and show you doors you didn’t know existed.
Megan shared that great mentors help mentees recognize their own strengths and point them toward opportunities they may not have considered. She believes the best mentors, like Dr. Frates, empower others to reach beyond what they thought possible.
Additional takeaways include being authentic, creating psychological safety, encouraging independence, and investing in mentees as whole people. Mentees agree, great mentors like Dr. Frates don’t impose their vision but help others clarify and pursue their own.
A Mentorship Rooted in Purpose
From the stories of over a dozen mentees, a set of core principles emerges: Dr. Frates leads with presence, listens with intention, encourages autonomy, and promotes growth through opportunity. Her mentorship is not transactional; it’s transformational. She adapts to each mentee’s strengths, challenges, and passions, offering customized support while modeling authenticity, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership.
Whether through an award-winning non-profit, curriculum innovation, or a late-night text of encouragement, Dr. Frates mentors by doing and by deeply caring. It’s no surprise that her impact spans countries, specialties, and generations. The ripple effects of her mentorship will continue shaping lifestyle medicine and healthcare for years to come.
Acknowledgment
Special thanks to Erica Veazey, Ellie Enichen, Kiranmayi Kakumani, Megan Alexander, Jonathan Bonnet, Mahima Gulati, Michelle Tollefson, Toqa Afifi, Jeff Krauss, Emanuela Mercore, and Vivian Wang for their contributions. Their insights reveal the essence of mentorship, elevating others with intention, generosity, and integrity and confirm why Dr. Beth Frates is so widely admired and celebrated.
