Celebrating Nurses Week | Mentorship Stories

Karey Dufour mentored by Colonel (Retired) Laura Alvarado

I am a retired Air Force nurse, but during my career I had a few mentors along the way that took a vested interested in not only my career, but in me as a person. One of these mentors is Colonel (Retired) Laura Alvarado who was also a nurse. She taught me that it was not the assignment, location, or job title that made an opportunity--it was my attitude and drive to make a place better than I found it. She also taught me that no matter how terrible a situation appeared to be, there was always an opportunity to change the atmospherics and hearts and minds of those you serve and those who serve under you. Her motto was, "No whining." When you went to see her with an issue, she expected you to have a solution or at least the start of one to generate a discussion. Colonel Alvarado was an amazing woman. Anyone who had the charge to work with her or for her were always better because of her. She mentored me long after my assignment as a junior Captain at Brooks Air Force Base. Although she was at the 5-foot mark in height, she was 10-feet tall when she entered a room. I always aspired to be just like her. Unfortunately, we lost her way too soon to cancer--a loss felt across the entire Air Force. She armed me with the skills and knowledge to take care of my patient and troops and seize opportunities. Colonel Alvarado guided me when I was lost and empowered me to do what was right. She built my confidence when I lacked it and advised me when it was not what I wanted to hear so I could continue to grow. Although she is no longer with us, she provides me with unending motivation to be better. As a nurse, leader, and human being, she was a true inspiration. I miss her dearly. 

Ellen Current mentored by Teresa Miller

Sixteen years ago, before I was a nurse, I had the amazing pleasure of working with Teresa Miller, RN. At that time, I was the front desk patient services representative, and she was the staff RN for an upstart interventional radiology office. We were charged with getting this organization up and running. Teresa was an amazing teacher and mentor from the start. She taught me lab values and conditions to look for that may require us to postpone procedures. She taught me about interventional radiology tests and procedures. She taught me what was imperative to look for and monitor for before, during and after procedures. She connected many of the dots for me between front office and back office. She was the main reason that I enrolled in nursing school. She was patient and kind. The type of person that makes one want to do and be their best. Fortunately, after many years, I have been blessed to work with her again and I still see her as a mentor, a friend, and an amazing nurse!  

Jeanette Lepinski mentored by Ellen Dorshow-Gordon

After being a bedside nurse for almost 20 years, I wanted a change. As an ICU nurse, I saw the disastrous effects of healthcare acquired infections. When a position in Infection Control opened at my hospital, I applied. Ellen was the Director of the program, and gave me a chance to learn about how to prevent these devastating infections, and so much more! Thanks to her belief in me, and her mentorship, I have had an amazing career in Infection Prevention, mentored 30 new IPs, written chapters and edited textbooks. Thanks to her, I was able to expand my horizons far beyond the bedside, never forgetting who we were there to serve, our patients and co-workers.

Judith Moffett mentored by Geraldine Price

Geraldine Price was head of the Medical Nursing division in what was then the Ohio State School of Nursing when I was a student (1965-1969). She instilled in me the love of nursing. When I graduated, I was able to get a one-year position as an Assistant Instructor under her tutelage. Those positions were for BSN grads who were interested in teaching. I learned so much from her and other faculty in that year! I then went on to obtain my MS in 1971. I focused on gerontological nursing, learning a lot from Wilda Chambers and Joanne Stephenson. I worked with Gerry Price again beginning in 1972 on an Ohio Department of Health project to train nursing home staff. I established the first Nursing Home Training Center in New Philadelphia under Gerry's steady leadership. Training Centers grew to 8 in number during the 70's and made a great impact on quality of care during those times. I then went on to being one of the early nurses certified in Gerontological Nursing and to a career spent in education, management, and consulting in long term care. All because of Gerry's interest in a new grad interested inedical nursing! Gerry and I stayed in touch until her death and she continued to support and encourage my career. She was a true mentor, giving of her time and wisdom to others! 

Mary Domask mentored by Dean Evelyn Cohelan

I had all my credits for my BSN except public health. My husband was in the military at the time and he was being transferred. Dean Evelyn Cohelan of George Mason University made it possible for me to finish public health at another university in Detroit and transfer those credits back to George Mason so that I could graduate. What an impact. With all of our military moves, it took me 10 years and four universities to graduate with a BSN.

Edward Sachs

In 1969, I started working as an Emergency Room Technician. I greatly admired the ER nurses and wanted to be a BSRN. But back in 1969, nursing schools didn't seem to be interested in accepting men - and it wasn't an "acceptable" occupation for men. Instead, I became a Military Medic, Medical Lab Technologist / Supervisor, Forensic Investigator and Hospital Administration. I continued to envy the nurses because the military readily offered them commissions as officers, whereas the other positions I mention above were either lower paid / lower prestige "enlisted" positions or you had to fight for the very few officer slots. Eventually I had to be a Pilot to become a military officer, but went back to health care after only eleven years of that. I would end up serving 39 years in health care before I retired - Only to work two more years next to nurses performing Covid tests, Covid vaccines, or research for OSUMC. I am still teaching emergency care alongside nurses or teaching nursing students - while wishing I could be a nurse!

Betsy Berry mentored by Linda Tokarsky

I would like to recognize and honor my mom, Linda Tokarsky OSU CON Class of '89, as my nursing mentor. She sacrificed and persevered through pursuing her BSN as a non-traditional student: she balanced a family, work and education during that time to complete her degree. As a child, I witnessed my mom as a first-responder on-scene when she found my Paternal Grandfather slumped on the floor in with an active stroke. Her quick action saved his life and it amazes me to this day what the power of nursing and nursing education can do. She encouraged and supported me through my BSN and OSU's Master of Healthcare Innovation and the Certified Nurse Educator programs that I completed spring of 2021. Since joining OSUWMC in 2017, I have had the honor and privilege of working alongside my mom. We work in different departments--I am a UH Med/Surg float nurse and she works on 8 West Rhodes PCU, but we get to share the camaraderie of our co-workers and sometimes coffee when we are able to get together on our breaks.

Adele Webb mentored by V. Ruth Gray

As a new grad of Ohio State with my MS, I was hired as a faculty member at the University of Akron. At the time, V. Ruth Gray was the Associate Dean. It was through her mentorship, her role modeling of being a nursing professional and her kind and generous support as I grew in my position that led me to obtaining a PhD, continuing my HIV work and ultimately being inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. 

Marliese Nist mentored by Rita Pickler and Tondi Harrison

I have been blessed to be mentored by two amazing Nurse Scientists! Rita Pickler and Tondi Harrison have guided and supported me through my predoctoral and postdoctoral training and now as junior faculty. I owe all my current and future success to them!

Kate Gawlik mentored by Dean Bernadette Melnyk

I have been so fortunate to have Dr. Bernadette Melnyk as a mentor for the past 10 years. She came into my life when I was early in my career and she has truly helped to shape my career path. I have learned so much just from being with her and watching her interact with other people. She has provided me with important feedback and is always doing something to help me. She is such an inspiration for all nurses and nurse practitioners with her powerful messages and positive presence. I am so lucky that I have had the opportunity to work with her for the past 10 years.

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