Match Day Driven by Mentorship

Dr. John Scolaro (left), UC Irvine associate clinical professor of orthopedic surgery, says of graduating medical student Saman Andalib (right): “One of the things that was really impressive was how he integrated himself into the team. He brought ideas forward, developed a niche in research, and helped us explore areas like artificial intelligence in ways that connected directly to patient care.” Steve Zylius / UC Irvine

• UC Irvine medical student Saman Andalib credits mentorship from UCI Health doctors for guiding his decision to specialize in orthopedic surgery.
• The co-founder of an AI-focused research lab, he aims to combine innovation with patient-centered care.

For Saman Andalib, the journey to Match Day has been defined by something he considers essential to medicine: mentorship.

Throughout his time at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, Andalib sought out physicians who not only excelled in their specialties but were deeply committed to guiding the next generation of doctors. Two mentors in particular were instrumental in his path to orthopedic surgery: Dr. Ariana Nelson and Dr. John Scolaro.

Through their mentorship, Andalib discovered both the technical precision and the innovative spirit that define the field.

“Working with Dr. Scolaro again has been an immense privilege,” he says. “One of the unique things we did together was conduct research in artificial intelligence. Through that work, I realized he is someone who truly looks to push the field of orthopedic surgery forward. That experience sparked my own interest in being at the forefront of innovation, and it’s something I want to incorporate throughout my career.”

For him, mentorship was not simply about observing. It meant becoming part of the team.

Scolaro recalls that Andalib’s initiative was among the qualities that helped him stand out. “One of the things that was really impressive was how he integrated himself into the team,” says the associate clinical professor of orthopedic surgery. “He brought ideas forward, developed a niche in research, and helped us explore areas like artificial intelligence in ways that connected directly to patient care.”

A culture of mentorship

Mentorship has long been central to the culture at UC Irvine School of Medicine, something Nelson, associate clinical professor of anesthesiology, says she values deeply.

“I’ve been working at UC Irvine for 11 years, and my favorite part of this job is mentoring students,” she says. “You get to see their progression from clinical immaturity – not knowing what to do, what to say or even how to pronounce certain medical terms – to poised clinicians ready to help patients.”

For Nelson, mentoring medical students creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the classroom or hospital.

“When I prepare a student well, they go out and help countless future patients,” she says. “Helping a single patient is incredibly rewarding, but seeing students go into the world and help so many others – that’s an even greater impact. I would also say that working with every student is a privilege, an immense privilege."

“However, some students come with a natural verve for discovery and a desire to make medicine better from the very start of medical school. That’s exactly what I’ve experienced with Dr. Andalib. He’s incredibly responsive and well prepared, and when conducting research with him, he’s always 10 steps ahead.”

Andalib’s experience with Nelson is an example of that ripple effect, showing how her mentorship fosters curiosity, initiative and innovation in her students.

“Working with Dr. Nelson has been an immense privilege,” he says. “I’ve seen firsthand how a clinician can wear many different hats outside medicine. Dr. Nelson works in space medicine, conducts artificial intelligence research and contributes in so many other capacities. Her multifaceted approach as a clinician and innovator has been truly inspiring, and it’s something I hope to emulate in my own career.”

Read the full feature article in UC Irvine News.