In a landmark recognition for the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (CNAHS), faculty member Dr. Jezyl Cutamora has been hailed as the Visayas Cluster Winner for the 2025 Best Mentor in Health Research Awards – Graduate Studies Category, conferred by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST–PCHRD). The announcement made on November 13 marks a proud moment not only for Dr. Cutamora and her institution, but also for the entire Visayas research community.
The award—among the most esteemed in Philippine health research—celebrates mentors who have profoundly contributed to developing future researchers, strengthening the country’s health research ecosystem, and advancing national priorities outlined in the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA). Dr. Cutamora’s selection from a pool of nominees across Visayas underscores her exceptional dedication to shaping the next generation of scholars in health and nursing research.
Her mentorship is distinguished by her ability to guide students and young researchers from curiosity to meaningful inquiry, ensuring that each research endeavor not only meets academic rigor but contributes to evidence-based practice and public health improvement. Colleagues and former mentees often describe her mentorship as transformative—equal parts demanding, nurturing, and deeply inspiring.
With this regional triumph, Dr. Cutamora now advances to the national stage, where she will compete with outstanding mentors from Luzon and Mindanao for the country’s highest distinction in health research mentoring. Her advancement signifies that the work she has championed in the Visayas has national relevance and impact—a testament to the culture of research excellence she continuously fosters at CNAHS.
Her recognition aligns with the goals of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS), which emphasizes capacity building, ethical and innovative research, and the creation of solutions responsive to the country’s most pressing health needs. Through years of mentoring graduate students, leading research initiatives, and advocating for evidence-based nursing, Dr. Cutamora has significantly contributed to these national aspirations.
As she prepares to receive her award during the 44th DOST-PCHRD anniversary celebration in March 2026, the CNAHS community beams with pride. Her achievement sends a powerful message: that quality mentorship is a cornerstone of impactful research, and that the Visayas continues to be a fertile ground for developing world-class Filipino scholars.
Dr. Cutamora’s journey reflects the essence of mentorship at its finest—not merely teaching research methods, but cultivating critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and scholars committed to improving lives through science. Her win is more than a personal milestone; it is a celebration of the transformative power of mentors who guide, uplift, and empower.