Students' Comments About Mentors

Dolores Acevedo-Garcia, Health and Social Behavior

• "Dolores Acevedo-Garcia was my informal advisor during my masters degree, and is now my advisor during my doctoral degree.  She makes time for me, to guide me through the departmental process, to strategize about my classes (to match my career and dissertation objectives), and to advise me informally -- as an academic, who is also a mother.  She has provided me with opportunities to collaborate on projects where I can receive visibility, and to collaborate on a project that led to my first published article in an academic journal.  She looks out for my interests, respects my opinions and rationales, and supports my decisions.  She is the reason I stayed at HSPH to pursue my doctorate.  I feel lucky that I have Dr. Acevedo-Garcia as my advisor."
• "Dr. Acevedo-Garcia is not my assigned academic advisor; however, she has been instrumental in my career decision-making process.  She is always willing to listen, provide advice, and, most importantly, encourage students!  During my short time here at HSPH I have not found a faculty member that is more genuinely concerned about student success than Dr. Acevedo-Garcia.  It is obvious that she understands the necessity of developing mentor relationships at the graduate level and that she has made it her goal to make sure that students in HSB have such relationships.  It is with great enthusiasm and honor that I nominate Dr. Dolores Acevedo-Garcia for the mentorship award." 

Mary Jean Brown, Maternal and Child Health      

• "'Mentor extraordinaire' is one of the many titles that can be bestowed upon Dr. Brown.  She has been a tremendous resource for me during my work at HSPH.  Not only has she served as an excellent mentor for me, she has also served as a mentor to the entire Maternal-Child health student body and a large percentage of the MPH candidates.  Each and every day her office is open and she eagerly welcomes students to join her for discussions, to review your work/papers, to strategize your career, or just to be a friend.  Her dedication to her job has been precedent by none.  She is truly a unique professor and incredible asset to Harvard School of Public Health."
• "Mary Jean has been my professor and project preceptor over the past year.  Not only has she been more available to her students than any other professor I have had at Harvard, she has also been available to talk about non-classroom issues.  She has been very generous in sharing her life experience in the areas of teaching, being a student, being a manager, being a mother, and being a nurse with me.  She has made an effort to get to know me well and, with her knowledge of me, to give advice and help me to be involved in experiences that are beneficial to my public health learning and to my personal development." 

Brent Coull, Associate Professor of Biostatistics

• "During the last few months before my dissertation defense, Brent provided me with a lot of emotional support when the research work was not going as well as anticipated. On top of providing technical and mentoring support, he went out of his way to alert me on job search opportunities and give me...career advice."
• "Brent was my advisor for my ‘Summer Research Project' that all first-year Biostat PhD student must undertake.... Brent tried to incorporate me in the decision making involved with [my] project, helping me to feel like a peer rather [than] just another student. He was/is someone who I feel I can approach on level footing if I have a question, which I think is very important to any student when they are new to a field or a department."
• "Brent is always encouraging and supportive of me in my professional endeavors. As my mentor he has encouraged me to give talks at professional meetings and departmental seminars and has always attended these to show his support. It is through his kind words and encouragement that I have begun to feel more confident in my own work."

 
William DeJong, Health Communication

• "Bill has gone out of his way to help provide me with academic and work opportunities that would enhance my growth as a student and a public health professional. Like the best of coaches, Bill has been able to push me to strive to excel and to meet challenges that sometimes I feared were too great, but still he was always there to support and encourage me when I encountered the inevitable obstacles and disappointments. He has made the HSPH experience far more rewarding through his advice (always candid!), guidance, and good humor."

Sue Goldie, Health Policy and Management

• "Professor Sue Goldie epitomizes the word mentor.  This is truly the case because she seeks to actualize and nurture the potential of all students she comes into contact with and at the same time is open and humble enough to learn from them as well....in collaborations, she is consistent and fair in her acknowledgement of her students.  She looks for ways to carve out projects that students can take ownership of.  In a certain way, Sue thinks of her students as family and thus makes certain that they are doing well personally as well as professionally."
• "As a female faculty member, she serves in particular as a role model for me and other female students who are embarking on careers requiring a balance of education, research, work, and family.  She holds high expectations of me both in the classroom and out by demanding a thorough conceptual understanding of the issues at hand, thoughtful and accurate analysis, and discerning interpretation.  At every juncture, she has encouraged me to move a step beyond what I think is possible.... I have grown to begin conducting independent research, attending conferences, and publishing research results."
• "Whenever we meet to discuss the progress of our current project, I leave with a renewed sense of passion for the work I'm doing and motivation to move forward.  She is supportive of my endeavors and ideas, encouraging me to learn new skills and guiding me as I make decisions about future academic and career goals." 
• "Simply put, Sue makes me feel like I can do anything.  No funding issue is insurmountable, no analytic question is too basic, and no public health interest is too novel for Sue to address it with a student."

 
Saidi Kapiga, Population and International Health

• "Saidi has been a steadfast mentor and advocate for all students who come through his door, including me. I had the good fortune of being assigned to him as a Master student, and have the privilege to know him as an advisor, work supervisor, and friend. I happily continue to work with him as a doctoral student up to now. He is extremely approachable, always gives sound and even-tempered advice, and is definitely an asset to the students in the department. He will be leaving the department this year, and it will be difficult for the department to replace his commitment to teaching and to students' learning in general. He does more than mentor students; he inspires us with his passion and tenacity for his research. I therefore respectfully nominate Dr. Kapiga for the Mentoring Award."

Jack Kasten, Health Policy and Management

• "Jack Kasten has been a consistent and reliable source of wisdom derived from long experience in the management field.  Generous to a fault, he has developed a serious professional relationship with me, touched with occasional light heartedness.  This balance has given perspective to an MPH with choices that include both academic, SCC and Shattuck Community activities.  I met Jack last summer to discuss my future in general and my upcoming year at HSPH.  Jack then, and numerous times since, has always been available to answer my questions, but more importantly, to help me to keep things in perspective.  My age and experience helped me appreciate Jack's value, as he would relate events in his personal and professional lives to demonstrate a point.  Two examples:

• I was considering staying another year to study further; after discussion of the pros and cons of that idea (which he thought was not in my best interest); I decided to move on with my life.
• I did a management type practicum, and thus was required to attend Jack's management seminars. However, Jack recommended I attend [another professor's] policy seminars as I could always see Jack if I had any management questions or issues. Jack rightlybelieved this exposure would enrich my experience here--which it did."

Karen Kuntz, Health Policy and Management and Biostatistics

• "Karen Kuntz has been a fantastic advisor, teacher, employer, and overall mentor....she's been very helpful in offering advice on PhD programs and on career options.....serving as a model of someone who has managed to have a very successful career and a family." 
• "Karen guided me in making strong decisions about coursework and summer research opportunities, while always keeping an open mind about the direction in which my research and career might proceed.  She helped me to enjoy the process of learning, while not letting me feel overwhelmed by the pressures of dissertation-writing....Karen is amazing at challenging students to come up with solutions on our own, while also always being there when we need a helping hand. ...Karen is consistently there for her students as a friend when needed, able to relate to us as individuals and assist in our personal development."
• "When we encounter difficult times in life, there is nothing more comforting than having a mentor who understands concerns and does her best to help.  I believe all of us not only are receiving the best academic training but also greatly benefit from developing an excellent capability on time and personal management."

 
Marc Lipsitch, Associate Professor of Epidemiology

• "Marc has set a good example of being a conscientious scientist who not only focuses on his research, but also engages interdisciplinary interests in his field and promotes sharing of knowledge."
• "He is continually providing his students with opportunities to meet and talk with some of the leading researchers in the field, often inviting us out to dinner with visiting lecturers. He is both forthcoming with sharing his ideas for projects and totally supportive of allowing you to pursue your own project ideas.... He is good at motivating his students without pushing them too hard or continually checking up on them. "
• "He has taught me how to think critically about science, how to dissect a problem to reveal the underlying truths, where to be skeptical, and how to ask [the] most pertinent questions. Another unique characteristic about his mentoring style is that he readily observes what the strengths and interests of his advisees are and tries to help foster these while addressing [their] weaknesses."

Louise Ryan, Biostatistics

• "Dr. Ryan has been an amazing support to me and others in the school during my time here at HSPH. Her genuine concern to see her students succeed has the mark of a true mentor written all over it."
• "After I attended her Summer Program, she kept in touch with me and was always willing to answer any questions I had about career choices. She's one of the main reasons I decided to come to HSPH to get my masters degree."
• "She tutored me when a class became too difficult and she sincerely wanted me to succeed in it.  She helped me think through what I want to do in Biostatistics."
•  "Dr. Ryan is always searching for opportunities for her students that will offer exposure and broaden our experience."
• "She suggested me to take more courses to strengthen my background on theory.  Despite her busy schedule, she checks with me on my academic progress."
• "Her efforts to increase diversity in not only her department, but in the school as a whole have been exceptional."
• "Despite her busy schedule, she always finds ample time to meet with students and provides honest and helpful advice in which she has the best interest of the student at heart. Without Dr. Ryan a number of students wouldn't have the means or courage to continue with their work."
• "She is very attentive, thoughtful and caring. Above all else, she has the ability, in my view, to be frank and candid -- without being harsh and callous."
• "Her hard work, vision, and intellectual support have been invaluable to me and to Harvard, as her many endeavors create a stimulating and collegial environment at the school."

Nancy Turnbull, Health Care Management

• "Nancy...always makes time for students, both those in her classes and those who may never have taken a class with her. She has been extremely generous to everyone I know who has consulted her for assistance with their summer and/or full-time job searches... I have received valuable career guidance and advice from her - she's incredibly busy but always makes time for students. I appreciate so much her dedication and willingness to advice, listen and counsel."
• "As a Harvard Public Health Student, I never expected to become close to any of my professors. However, once I began taking a class by Nancy Turnbull, I realized that she would be a vital player in my future career development. From the first meeting we had during the course, she took interest in me, where I have come from, and where I want to be headed. From that day on, she has been there for me throughout various professional challenges and aspirations. She is the definition of a true mentor, who will never rest until I have succeeded. Someone who I can call for support or advice on a moments notice and someone who truly cares about me and my future in public health."
• "Nancy helps guide all MS2 students to find their interests and passions and gives sound advice and pragmatic approaches on putting these abstract ideas into practice. Nancy goes out of her way to give her time, energy, and access to her network of amazing colleagues who have put theory into practice and are working in careers that we are preparing for. Nancy helped to organize students for the Massachusetts Health Policy Student Forum this year as in the past, giving us a chance to meet with State legislators, department heads, and appointed directors in Massachusetts that are working in the field of health policy. For that, I believe that Nancy Turnbull should be awarded a Mentoring Award as she goes above and beyond to give guidance and access to help us become future public health leaders."