"This experience has taught me that being a mentor is not only about showing strength. It is also about expressing vulnerability and creating space for setbacks so that others can feel comfortable reaching out for help. I believe that the success of a leader is measured in large part by how she lifts up others around her. I will carry this perspective with me as I develop my career while serving my community in the years to come."

After losing her husband, Gunther, to a staph infection in November 2009, the late Lee Weigel wanted to improve the quality of healthcare in our country. To realize that goal, she partnered with the Elks National Foundation to endow the Gunther and Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship, which helps Elks scholars pursue careers in medicine. For more information, visit enf.elks.org/WeigelMSS.