She is very active in class discussions. She has updated knowledge of her research interest and what is going on in this field. She is doing great on YouTube for making videos. Also, she is trying her best to attend conferences. She did concept analysis and provided a poster. Her poster was accepted at many conferences

***

As a mother of four and a full-time PhD student, Fiona was able to complete her first year with a 4.0 GPA and presented two research posters at a conference and won the UAB SON core value award for excellence. She guides, mentors, and directs prospective international nursing students on the best ways to approach and apply for scholarships. Her passion for pre-interview preparations for prospective PhD nursing students is commendable. Fiona guided me on how to prepare for the US visa interview, which helped me to better organize my thoughts and feel confident in answering questions.

***

Fiona has been my peer mentor since August 2024, before being officially assigned to me as a mentor. Her leadership skills in the pain equity lab are extraordinary, leading most of our meetings and providing direction for new students. She took the initiative and started monitoring 3 international students from Africa. She has a YouTube channel that provides education on diverse health issues, especially nutrition and chronic pain.

***

She had really mentored many nurses, including me. I got to know of UAB PhD Nursing and finally got admitted because of her. She gave me guidance on how to stay on top of the program. For example, submitting my assignments at least a week before the deadline has taken away a lot of pressure from me.

***

Fiona has demonstrated a commitment to nursing through continuous learning, diverse clinical experience, and involvement in research. Having worked in various nursing roles and settings, including outpatient clinics as a nurse anesthetist and in surgical wards as a staff nurse, Fiona shows adaptability and a broad understanding of nursing practice that transcends borders, practicing in both Cameroon and the United Arab Emirates. Her international experience and support for other international students highlight her global nursing perspective, which is valuable in today's healthcare landscape. By offering application guidelines and mentorship for prospective international students via YouTube, Fiona helps others navigate the challenges of international education in nursing. Additionally, her leadership excellence is evident in her roles on the communication committee for the United States Association for the Study of Pain, as a Graduate Student Government Senator, and her involvement in research. Particularly, as a research assistant, Fiona investigates racial and socioeconomic differences in chronic low back pain to advance nursing knowledge and address health disparities, leading her expertise in phlebotomy duties.

Fiona has developed a comprehensive video series specifically tailored to address the unique challenges faced by international nursing students with her YouTube channel. These videos cover a wide range of crucial topics, including understanding and adapting to cultural differences in healthcare practices in Cameroon, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, improving English language proficiency in medical contexts, and providing step-by-step guidance on licensure examination and maintaining proper student status. Each video was meticulously researched and presented in a clear, accessible manner, drawing on personal experiences as an international student from Cameroon as well as their diverse clinical background. The content was designed to bridge the information gap often experienced by international students, empowering them with practical knowledge and strategies to succeed in their nursing education and future careers in the United States.

***

Fiona is a stellar international doctoral student who demonstrates leadership among her peers, academic excellence, and scholarly productivity. She has served as first author and co-author for multiple manuscripts that are currently under review, and she has presented at multiple conferences in her short time as a doctoral student. Fiona’s actions as a peer mentor, specifically sharing old assignments and frequent check-ins, have been supportive to underclassman students and helped them gain access to many helpful resources

***

Fiona has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to promoting nursing care through research. In the PhD Program, Fiona has maintained an impeccable 4.0 GPA while successfully balancing the demands of her academic pursuits with raising a family of four. Her commitment to academic excellence and advancing nursing science is evident in her numerous accomplishments: presenting two posters at a national conference and one at the Alabama State Nurses Association Conference. Additionally, she has a first-authored publication currently under review, showcasing her significant contributions to the nursing profession.

Beyond her academic achievements, Fiona has exhibited outstanding leadership qualities. Shortly after joining my research team, she took the initiative to coordinate undergraduate research assistants, successfully leading them to complete participant recruitment for my R01 study ahead of schedule. Furthermore, she has established a YouTube channel to inspire and attract potential PhD students. Her channel has over 1700 subscribers. She regularly discusses the application process, professionalism, and opportunities in graduate nursing education, demonstrating her dedication to fostering the next generation of nurse scientists.
Fiona’s positive impact extends beyond her academic and research endeavors. She is a caring, compassionate, and supportive mentor to her peers, always willing to offer guidance and encouragement. When one of her peers struggled with the qualifying exams, she offered to review preparatory materials with her. Officially, she is a peer mentor to one PhD student, but many other students frequently seek guidance from her. Her enthusiasm and passion for her work are contagious, inspiring those around her to strive for excellence.

Her caring nature, exceptional leadership, academic achievements, and dedication to nursing make her an exemplary role model. Fiona's Leadership led to the timely recruitment of research participants for my R01 Project. Under her leadership, recruitment increased from three to eight participants monthly, as she provided more flexible scheduling to accommodate the participants. Several PhD applicants who watched her YouTube videos have applied to our PhD Program. During the 2024 PhD Intensive, Fiona was voted by her peers for representing the core value of Excellence in the School of Nursing