The atmosphere was electric last Saturday, 3 May 2025, as nursing leaders and educators gathered in Sydney, NSW, to celebrate the presentation of the prestigious 2025 Lopez Awards during the 5th Filipino International Nursing Symposium. Named in honour of Professor Violeta Lopez, an acclaimed Filipino nurse researcher, the Lopez Award recognises outstanding contributions in nursing leadership, research, education, and advocacy. This year’s Australian recipients – Dr. Maria Mares, Dr. Dawn Perez, and Dr. Tenber Grota – each exemplify excellence, compassion, and transformative leadership in their respective fields. Their achievements, stories, and words of wisdom serve as inspiration for the next generation of nurses in Australia and beyond.
Dr. Maria Mares, a senior nurse academic and researcher, has spent over nine years advancing nursing education, curriculum development, and digital health. Her doctoral work, Exploring the relationship between health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-management in people with coronary heart disease: The RHYTHM Study, has been instrumental in promoting inclusive strategies to support culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations managing chronic disease. Her collaborations with national organisations on health literacy and digital health initiatives reflect her deep commitment to building equitable, accessible healthcare systems.
When asked what core values to have guided her leadership, Dr. Mares reflected, “My leadership journey has been shaped by compassion, cultural humility, and a deep belief in equity. Growing up in a culturally diverse community and caring for loved ones during times of illness taught me the importance of empathy, advocacy, and person-centred care. These formative experiences have guided my work in nursing education and research.” For Dr. Mares, leadership is not simply about achievement but about empowering underrepresented communities and fostering meaningful healthcare transformation. Her message to emerging nurses is both uplifting and grounding: “Lead with purpose and stay connected to your ‘why.’ Nursing is more than a profession—it’s a commitment to serve, innovate, and create lasting change… Never underestimate your ability to inspire through both action and compassion.”
Another honouree, Dr. Dawn Perez, Lecturer in Intensive Care Nursing at the University of Sydney, brings an extraordinary blend of clinical expertise and scholarly excellence to her work. Having completed her PhD in 2024 on patient safety and clinical decision-making in intensive care, Dawn’s research has already gained international recognition. Her integrative review, published in Australian Critical Care, was named one of the journal’s top five most-cited papers over three years. Prior to academia, Dawn was a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Intensive Care, mentoring nurses and driving quality improvement initiatives.
Core values such as compassion, empathy, integrity, and lifelong learning have defined Dawn’s leadership journey. “These principles shape how I engage with patients, students, and support colleagues,” she shared. Whether leading curriculum development, mentoring the next generation of critical care nurses, or contributing to research, Dawn’s work is rooted in fostering ethical, person-centred care. Her advice to aspiring nurses? “Never stop asking questions, seeking evidence, and learning from every experience. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and remember that your voice matters, whether at the bedside, in the classroom, or through research. You have the potential to shape the future of healthcare.”
Rounding out this year’s awardees is Dr. Tenber Grota, whose career spans 16 years across the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia. A nurse leader, academic, and researcher, Dr. Grota has held key roles as Service Manager, Director of Nursing, NUM, and Nurse Educator. Currently serving as Community Manager for the Asia-Pacific Region at an evidence synthesis organisation, alongside his academic appointment at a leading Australian university, Dr. Grota continues to influence nursing education and practice through scholarship and leadership. His recent work on clinical placements for healthcare students highlights his dedication to creating sustainable solutions for workforce challenges.
“My leadership journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to equity, integrity, and service,” Dr. Grota explained. His experiences working in diverse healthcare settings taught him that culturally responsive and evidence-based care is fundamental to meaningful, sustainable improvements. He emphasised the importance of collaborative leadership, systems thinking, and empowering teams to drive innovation in healthcare. To emerging nurses, he offered an empowering call to action: “Never underestimate the impact of your voice and presence. Nursing is both an art and a science—and your lived experiences, compassion, and critical thinking are vital to shaping the future of healthcare… Leadership isn’t defined by titles—it’s defined by action, authenticity, and the courage to do what’s right.”
Now in its second year, the Lopez Award was more than an accolade; it was a celebration of the diverse pathways and shared values that unite nursing leaders across disciplines and geographies. Their stories highlight the interconnectedness of personal values, professional achievements, and the broader mission of nursing to serve humanity with compassion and integrity.
Whether innovating curriculum, driving research on health equity, or mentoring the next generation of nurses, the 2025 Lopez Awardees exemplify what it means to lead with both head and heart.
In a world grappling with health disparities, workforce shortages, and rapid technological change, these leaders remind us that nursing’s strength lies not only in knowledge and skills but in its unwavering commitment to people. The 2025 Lopez Awardees stand as beacons of hope, vision, and excellence, showing emerging nurses that leadership, advocacy, and compassion can indeed transform lives.
