“No Retreat, No Surrender”: Dr. Alice Mathew on Lifelong Learning, Courage, and Serving with Compassion

“No retreat, no surrender — try till you succeed”

For nearly five decades, Dr. Alice Mathew has lived by a simple but powerful creed. From her early days as a young nurse in India to becoming a respected professor in the United States, and now as a voice motivating older adults in Kerala, her life is a testament to persistence, compassion, and the belief that service to others defines true success.

A Childhood Dream Becomes a Lifelong Calling

“I’ve been a caring and compassionate person from the very beginning,” Dr. Mathew reflects. “I wanted to take care of people — nursing was not just a career choice, it was my passion.”

Graduating as a general nurse in 1976, she began her career at the Cardiothoracic ICU in CMC Vellore, later working in Saudi Arabia and Oman before migrating to the United States in 1997. It wasn’t an easy move. With a handicapped husband and a young son to support, survival came first.

“I worked two jobs until my son finished college. Only then could I pursue my dream of higher education,” she says. By 2008, she had earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing education. At age 60, she achieved what few dare to attempt — completing her PhD in Education with distinction.

Becoming a Teacher, Mentor, and Role Model

Dr. Mathew spent 15 years teaching associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level nursing students in the United States, rising to the position of professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her approach was rooted in sincerity and a deep commitment to transforming students into compassionate nurses.

“I never tried to be a role model,” she says with humility. “I just worked sincerely, with dedication and compassion. But wherever I went, people told me, ‘You are my role model.’”

Her academic work included research publications, poster and oral presentations at professional conferences, and active participation in mentoring programs. She was nominated three times for the Florence Nightingale Awards and once for the Daisy Award in the U.S.

Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Milestones

Life in a new country was demanding. “The biggest challenge was surviving in the U.S. with my family’s circumstances,” she recalls. “There were moments of doubt, but I never gave up.”

Her persistence paid off — both professionally and personally. Among her notable achievements are:

• Completing a PhD at 60 and serving as a university professor.

• Receiving the Outstanding Alumni Professional Award (2011, USA) and Nursing Excellence Research Showcase Award (2008, USA).

• Winning the Social Influencer Award (2023, IAPC USA), the NADE Women Empowerment Award (2023, USA), and the Influential Women Lifetime Achievement Award (2025, India).

Today, she considers her current work — inspiring older adults to live joyful, purposeful lives — just as meaningful as her academic milestones. “Helping others discover happiness in their later years feels like a new kind of achievement,” she says.

Guided by Principles That Never Fade

Dr. Mathew credits her steady moral compass for shaping her long career. “Sincerity, trustworthiness, accountability, responsibility, compassion, integrity, and justice — these principles guided me through every stage of life,” she explains.

Her personal philosophy also emphasizes balance. With careful time management, clear boundaries, and the ability to say no when necessary, she maintained both a demanding professional life and a fulfilling personal one. “Organization is key. You have to prioritize what matters — both in your career and at home.”

A New Mission: Inspiring Older Adults

In 2023, Dr. Mathew retired and returned to Kerala to care for her husband. What she saw around her sparked a new mission. “I noticed the loneliness and struggles older adults are facing. My own experience helped me understand their pain,” she says.

Through her YouTube channel and speaking engagements, she motivates seniors to embrace life with positivity. “Age is just a number. There are so many ways to enjoy the years ahead,” she says. Her talks focus on building resilience, staying socially engaged, and finding purpose even after retirement.

Looking Ahead: Continuing to Serve

Even after nearly half a century of service in nursing and education, Dr. Mathew has no plans to slow down. “My positive attitude and my desire to innovate keep me moving forward,” she says. Her goals now center on expanding her outreach to older adults, helping them combat isolation and live with dignity.

Advice to Young Women: Be Bold, Be Independent

Asked what advice she would give young women, her words are both practical and empowering:

• “Be courageous and bold to face challenges.”

• “Continue your education and seek financial independence.”

• “Practice self-love, self-respect, and emotional intelligence.”

• “Develop a strong sense of self — success will follow.”

These lessons come not from theory, but from a lifetime of perseverance, sacrifice, and achievement.

“No retreat, no surrender — try till you succeed,”Dr. Alice Mathew reminds us. Her story is proof that passion and perseverance can defy age, circumstance, and expectation — and that true success lies in serving others while staying true to oneself.