Illinois Pain & Spine - Excellence in Action Scholarship

When life demanded more than I thought I had to give, I chose to give even more. That mindset, pushing past limits and staying focused through adversity, has defined my journey, especially over the past two years. I believe it perfectly exemplifies what it means to be "hungry": to work hard, reward hard work, and push forward even when the odds are stacked against you. In 2023, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer after waiting seven years to get a mammogram. Her delay was rooted in a deep mistrust of the healthcare system as a Black woman, shaped by generations of mistreatment. Supporting her through chemotherapy, physical therapy, and hospital visits was a full-time commitment. Then, in January 2025, she was diagnosed with two brain tumors after suffering months of severe headaches. She required brain surgery and radiation to fully remove each tumor. Additionally, my mother lives with bipolar disorder, which adds complexity to her physical and mental health care. During this time, I balanced a full academic course load, worked toward my BSN prerequisites as a Nutrition major at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. After I graduate next spring, I will immediately be pursuing the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provided at my school. I had already earned my associate's degree and cared for my sister after a life-threatening accident in 2023, and will be earning a second associate's degree this fall once I take my last prerequisite courses for the nursing program. I was the primary caregiver, managing hospital visits, medication schedules, and coordinating care. Rather than scaling back, I pushed harder. My days were built around meeting everyone’s needs. I attended morning classes virtually from hospital waiting rooms, completed assignments late at night after medication routines, and scheduled my studying between transportation to radiation and therapy appointments while working full time. I learned about each medication my mother was prescribed, asked detailed questions during her appointments, and helped her prepare emotionally for the mental health challenges of recovery. I was not just her daughter; I became her advocate, her translator, and her nurse-in-training. What kept me going was the belief that my work mattered. My hunger for education, growth, and purpose was about more than getting through school. It was about becoming the nurse I wish my mother had been during those vulnerable moments. I want to be the provider who listens when a patient says, “Something isn’t right,” who does not ignore symptoms because of race, and who respects the full complexity of mental and physical health. The impact of my actions was immediate in my home. My mother could focus on healing instead of fighting to be heard or understood. She felt supported, informed, and loved. My younger sister, inspired by our resilience, returned to school and began dreaming about her future again. Academically, I not only stayed enrolled but thrived, proving that dedication paired with purpose can turn hardship into momentum. Being hungry means choosing effort over ease. It means stepping up even when no one is watching because you believe in the outcome. I have chosen that path every day. Receiving this scholarship would lift the financial burden of nursing school and affirm that hard work matters; that showing up again and again despite challenges is worth it. I am hungry for this opportunity, for this career, and for the chance to change the kind of care families like mine receive. This scholarship would give me the privilege to put more of my attention to my schoolwork, and with that, I would be able to truly succeed.