Nominator Name | Tommy Lin |
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Email | tommy.lin@torontomu.ca |
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Relationship to Nominee | Mentor/Research Supervisor |
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Nominee Name | Kateryna Metersky |
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Nominee Email | kateryna.metersky@torontomu.ca |
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Availability and Communication | Dr. Metersky has consistently demonstrated exceptional availability and support as a mentor
throughout my research project. She is currently serving as my MN supervisor and has been
instrumental in guiding my progress. One key example of her accessibility is her regular and timely
feedback on the manuscript I am developing for my MN placement. She makes herself available for
meetings as needed and is highly responsive to emails, often replying within a day or less.
Her communication style is both constructive and encouraging. She provides clear, actionable
suggestions that have significantly strengthened the quality of my work while also fostering my
confidence and critical thinking. Dr. Metersky ensures that her feedback is both detail-oriented and
aligned with the learning objectives of my program. She balances high expectations with a
supportive demeanor, making it easy to approach her with questions or concerns.
Beyond manuscript development, Dr. Metersky is engaged in broader mentorship, offering career
advice and insights into academic research processes. Her consistent presence and thoughtful guidance have made a significant impact on my development as a student and researcher.
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Problem Solving | Dr. Metersky is exceptional at fostering problem-solving skills throughout the research process.
From the beginning of my project, she has encouraged me to think critically and creatively about
each stage, particularly in challenging areas such as methodology and research design. Rather
than providing direct answers, she poses thoughtful questions that push me to consider different
perspectives and justify my decisions.
One standout example is during my MN placement, where Dr. Metersky has guided me beyond the
immediate goal of producing a manuscript. She has helped me explore how my current research
can form the foundation for a broader, long-term research theme aligned with my career goals.
This has included in-depth discussions on how to frame research questions to be more impactful,
how to position findings for different audiences, and how to consider the implications of the work
beyond academia.
Her approach empowers me to take ownership of my work while learning how to navigate the
complexities of real-world research challenges. Through her mentorship, I have developed a
stronger ability to analyze problems, generate innovative solutions, and connect my academic work
to larger professional objectives.
Dr. Metersky’s mentorship has not only enhanced the quality of my research but also shaped the
way I approach academic inquiry, always with a mindset of curiosity, strategy, and purpose.
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Use of Reflective Questions and Feedback | Dr. Metersky skillfully uses reflective questioning and constructive feedback to support the
development of my nursing practice. Her approach encourages critical thinking and self-awareness,
helping me bridge the gap between clinical experiences and professional growth. Rather than
providing direct answers, she asks insightful questions that prompt me to examine my own
reasoning, emotions, and actions.
A particularly meaningful example occurred when I navigated the death of my first patient during
my second year of nursing school. I brought this experience into our discussions, and Dr. Metersky
guided me through it using reflective questions such as, “What did you learn about yourself as a
nurse in that moment?” and “How might this experience influence the way you support patients and families in the future?” Her compassionate and thoughtful approach allowed me to process the
experience more deeply and recognize its significance in shaping my nursing identity.
Her feedback helped me explore both the clinical and emotional dimensions of end-of-life care, and
emphasized the importance of presence, empathy, and ethical reflection. This experience, guided
by her mentorship, significantly enhanced my ability to reflect on challenging clinical situations and
to integrate those reflections into my future practice.
Dr. Metersky’s use of reflective dialogue has helped me become more confident, resilient, and
intentional in my nursing practice. Her mentorship continues to strengthen my ability to learn from
experience and apply those lessons to provide compassionate, high-quality care.
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Encouragement | Dr. Metersky has played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory, particularly by encouraging
and supporting my interest in a future career in academia. Her mentorship has gone far beyond the
immediate scope of my MN placement and research project. She consistently looks for ways to
align my current work with long-term professional goals.
From the beginning of our work together, Dr. Metersky recognized my interest in academic nursing
and has provided tailored guidance to help me pursue that path. She has involved me in scholarly
activities such as manuscript preparation, abstract submissions, and critical discussions on
research methodology. These opportunities have helped me build skills that are essential for
success in academic roles, including scholarly writing, critical appraisal, and dissemination of
research findings.
For example, during the development of my MN placement manuscript, Dr. Metersky encouraged
me to think beyond publication and consider how my work could serve as the foundation for a
broader program of research. She has also shared valuable insights into the academic landscape,
including potential post-graduate opportunities, networking strategies, and the balance of teaching,
research, and service in an academic career.
Her belief in my potential and her ongoing support have greatly increased my confidence and
motivation to pursue a role in academic nursing. Dr. Metersky’s mentorship has not only advanced
my current capabilities but has also laid the groundwork for a meaningful and impactful career in
nursing education and research.
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Role Modeling | Dr. Metersky is an exceptionally available and effective role model. She consistently makes time for
students, offering guidance, support, and opportunities that extend beyond immediate academic
tasks. Her approachable and respectful manner fosters a learning environment where students feel
valued, heard, and empowered to grow both personally and professionally.
What sets Dr. Metersky apart is her commitment to identifying and creating opportunities for
student development across academia, research, and clinical practice. For example, she has
actively involved me in scholarly writing, encouraged conference participation, and provided
mentorship that aligns with my long-term goal of pursuing a career in academic nursing. She is
generous with her time and feedback, always ensuring that her guidance is constructive and
timely, which has significantly contributed to my confidence and professional growth.
Dr. Metersky’s ability to lead with integrity, compassion, and intellectual curiosity makes her an
outstanding role model. She demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing nursing as a
profession, and her actions consistently reflect the values she teaches. Observing her dedication
has deeply influenced my own vision for the future.
I aspire to emulate Dr. Metersky’s mentorship style when I become a professor, one that is student-
centered, empowering, and grounded in a genuine desire to see others succeed. Her example has
shown me the profound impact that supportive, engaged, and visionary mentorship can have on
the next generation of nursing professionals.
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Nominator B Name | Mathumesa Muhunthan |
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Supporting Nominator Email | Email hidden; Javascript is required. |
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Relationship to Nominee | Mentor/Research Supervisor |
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Nominator B: Availability and Communication | Dr. Metersky has been nothing short of a transformative mentor in my journey from pre-PhD research to confident doctoral student. Before I officially began my PhD, she invited me to rigorous, graduate-level projects, pushing me to stretch my capabilities, and ultimately apply for doctoral programs. Thanks to her, I joined a tri-council grant team as a Collaborator, gained hands-on experience in large-scale research management, and am confident in my abilities as a first year PhD student. Despite overseeing numerous grants, publications, and mentees at all levels, Dr. Metersky does not let an email go unanswered. She is available, and schedules meetings at a moment's notice, delivers clear explanations and provides examples. Dr. Metersky is reliable, and this reliability creates a safety net. I feel safe, and know that her support goes beyond boundaries.
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Nominator B: Problem Solving | Dr. Metersky goes beyond teaching problem-solving, to trusting mentees with real responsibility. When I co-authored our latest manuscript, she handed me full control over revisions, encouraged me to respond directly to reviewers, and celebrated my first-author status. She guided me through the intricacies of scholarly writing and the publication process, preparing me for a successful publication. This autonomy strengthened my critical thinking, and instilled the confidence required for future publications. In a recent scenario, I required assistance with gaining access to an REB application. Dr. Metersky was quick in her response, and was able to connect with external stakeholders to help me gain access. This occurred within hours.
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Nominator B: Use of Reflective Questions and Feedback | Dr. Metersky always leverages reflective questions that highlight blind spots and strengthens my program of research. In a recent interprofessional education session (IPE), Dr. Metersky and I were co-facilitators. While preparing for the session, Dr. Metersky encouraged me to think outside of the box when discussing the patient's role in the interprofessional team. While co-facilitating, I felt comfortable and confident sharing my thoughts with the group. Dr. Metersky's feedback is always solution-oriented, and she fosters self-awareness and continuous improvement.
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Nominator B: Encouragement | I truly would not be where I am without Dr. Metersky's encouragement. Dr. Metersky saw my potential before I did, and dedicated hours in helping me strengthen my research skills and apply for doctoral programs. Dr. Metersky shared insider tips on funding strategies, applications, etc. Her references carried weight, as I was accepted into every doctoral program I applied to. Beyond immediate opportunities such as collaborator roles on major grants, she coaches me on long-term career planning, from conference attendances to development my own program of research. Dr. Metersky encourages me to take the lead on conference presentations, whether they are oral presentations or poster presentations. I was able to travel and present my first oral presentation at the Sigma Theta Tau Biennial conference, all due to Dr. Metersky.
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Nominator B: Role Modeling | Balancing her award-winning nursing and research career with dedicated mentorship, Dr. Metersky embodies the leadership she inspires. Through her "MVP" series on LinkedIn, she highlights mentees' achievements, giving every one of them visibility and confidence. Dr. Metersky shares credit, is accessible, and celebrates the successes of all mentees. Under Dr. Metersky's guidance, I have grown as a researcher, but also learned how to pay it forward by acting as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students.
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