For Mehmet Oz, M.D., true mentorship transcends weekly phone calls. It's about identifying people you admire, studying their habits, and actively emulating their success.
Related: Dr. Oz wants you to realize that your best years are ahead of you
Two key figures shaped Dr. Oz's path.
Oprah Winfrey
From his debut on Discovery Channel's Second Opinion with Dr. Oz, Oprah became Dr. Oz's model. "She mentored many from afar," he notes. "She mentored me closely."
Dr. Oz values her drive, rooted in fairness and truth over mere financial gain. "She's an exceptional teacher," he says. "She mastered delivering profound lessons to America. People transform through what they feel, not just what they're told. Oprah understood this—as do all great leaders."
Dr. Gerald Lemole
Dr. Oz's father-in-law, Gerald Lemole, M.D., is a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon who demonstrated that elite, traditionally trained physicians can embrace spirituality and integrative medicine.
"My father-in-law, alongside his brilliance as an innovative heart surgeon, is deeply spiritual," Dr. Oz explains.
A pioneer, Lemole played rock music in the operating room during the 1970s—unheard of then. "He believed it influenced both surgeon and patient," Dr. Oz recalls. Today, this practice is standard nationwide.
Related: 5 things your future mentor will love you for
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of LadiesBelle I/O magazine.
