Jeffrey A. Mattos Memorial Nursing Scholarship

My name is Tara Brown, and I am a sophomore nursing student from Philadelphia. Pa. I am a first-generation college student, and I aspire to become a Community Health Nurse Practitioner that assists individuals in marginalized communities. It has been statistically shown that approximately 9.9 percent of Registered Nurses are African American. Of the nearly 2 million registered nurses in the United States, this percentage is significantly low; however, it exemplifies the need for more representation for African Americans in health care. African American patients are more subject to neglect, disdain, and other racial disparities within health care settings than other ethnicities, and the deadly cycle must be stopped. As a black woman, and one from a predominantly black neighborhood and city that does not place health care as a priority, it is my goal to be a community health provider so that I not only possess the knowledge, but the power to save lives. Growing up in West Philadelphia, I have seen and experienced the impact of being a part of a lower socioeconomic class. Individuals within underserved communities lack access to various resources, including adequate healthcare. As a result, comorbidities and mortality rates tend to be higher within these communities. Thus, I have been inspired to pursue a career in community health that will help alleviate the inaccessibility these communities face. In addition to working in poverty-stricken communities, some of my goals relative to community health are working with the homeless population and drug rehabilitation facilities. I hope to have an impact on the maintenance and care of the health and well-being of these individuals, as they are often disregarded in society. I dream of one day opening a nondiscriminatory practice within underserved communities that will holistically assist all individuals with their health regardless of their background or ability to pay.