Recently, I came across a poster that read “Honor your mentors,” and I began to ponder the importance of those words. Honoring a mentor is easy, deciding who to honor and how is more of a challenge. There were so many people who mentored me, either formally or informally, but there is one who simply “took my breath away.”
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| Afaf Meleis |
It was my first doctoral class, and she entered the room with an unforgettable effervescence and extravagant display of intellect that was formidable. She is Afaf I. Meleis, PhD, DrPS (hon), FAAN, dean emeritus, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. I, of course, knew of her. Several of my professors in graduate school were former students of hers and often spoke about her.
The year was 1993. Before starting my PhD program, I had tragically lost my brother, so I was at a crossroads, trying to decide what to do with my career. Then it happened. In walked Professor Meleis, who, with her Socratic style, began querying each of us about the assigned readings. Instantly, I knew I was in the presence of a profound scholar, an intellectual giant. That day, I learned she had high expectations of her students, but, more importantly, she wanted to infuse us with her passion for nursing.
My classmates and I could not stop talking about her because most of us had not experienced anyone quite like her. Meleis role modeled being prepared and not shying away from challenges. Using epistemology and social theories, she raised our collective consciousness. I had many wonderful professors, but none like her. She taught me the significance of inductive and deductive reasoning—not only in the classroom, but also in life. It’s why she left such a prodigious impression on me. While I had always believed I was great at asking critical questions, under her influence my questions became more substantive and helped me become better equipped for wrestling with scientific complexities, as well as life’s challenges.
Through the years, I often wondered how one woman could have such an impact on so many people. I’ve come to realize it is her commitment to excellence and her passion for the profession that has been the cornerstone of her entire life. Her instincts and acute intuition are amazing! In meetings, she knew when to listen and when to share her thoughts. She told me not to waste time with petty battles but stay focused on the bigger picture and have a broad vision. She challenged me to live with purpose and not get distracted by detractors or critics, because their criticisms serve to chip away at our imperfections and make us more polished scholars.
I had the privilege of being her student at the University of California and a member of the faculty she led at Penn School of Nursing. As I continue to watch her evolve as a scholar and observe her vast energy and intellect, one thing is for certain—she exhibits the same passion for nursing as the day I first met her. Recently, Meleis was honored by the American Academy of Nursing as a “Living Legend.” It’s a title befitting a woman I consider a transformative leader, a mentor who is still changing lives nationally and globally.
For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.
