While my journey to nursing began in my father's chiropractic office when I was a child, what truly crystallized my commitment to nursing and my interest in women's health has been witnessing the women I love struggle to find comprehensive, compassionate healthcare. I have watched many family members and friends navigate a healthcare system that too often dismisses their concerns, dealing with chronic illness, fertility challenges and the postpartum period, all while encountering providers who didn't truly listen or take them seriously. These are not isolated incidents. They are systemic failures rooted in the severe underfunding of women's health research and the historical dismissal of marginalized voices in medical settings. My mother, a multidisciplinary artist whose creativity and resilience have profoundly shaped who I am, taught me to see the world through an artist's eyes. She showed me that there is rarely just one way to express an idea or solve a problem, that careful observation and creative thinking can lead us to approach challenges from unexpected angles. This creative thinking has become one of my greatest strengths, both as a woman and as a future nurse. When I was diagnosed with ADHD at 37, I drew on my mother's example of perseverance and creative problem solving to approach my prerequisite courses by leveraging my strengths. I took an artistic approach to my studies, illustrating each bone in the body, different muscle tissue types, and the different components of the cardiovascular system. Transforming this potential obstacle into opportunity brought me a newfound drive to succeed. My creative roots, nurtured by my mother's artistic influence, continue to sustain me. I still create regularly, knitting and embroidering gifts for friends, making collages, and finding sustainable ways to craft. The meditative practice of observing and creating pieces with intricate detail keeps me grounded and provides essential balance when academic demands feel overwhelming. It reminds me to slow down, observe carefully, and find beauty in the details, all skills that translate directly to patient care. Watching the women in my life face healthcare challenges while simultaneously demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience has shown me exactly the kind of nurse I want to be. Women encounter unique hurdles in our society, and accessing care from providers who truly listen should not be one of them. With my years in supportive professional roles and my commitment to seeing each person fully, the way an artist observes a subject, I know I can be the compassionate advocate that women and marginalized populations desperately need. Like Mary Jane Beck experiencing the transformative power of compassionate nursing care, I'm driven to be that source of comfort and strength for others during their most vulnerable moments, while remaining whole, balanced, and joyful in my own life beyond the hospital walls.

When I was in high school, my family determined that my grandmother could no longer live on her own in her house on Long Island. She moved up to Albany, where she alternated weeks between my family’s house and my aunt’s house. As time went on, she needed more and more support, eventually needing home health aides during the day while my family was at work and school. I clearly remember the aides who came to care for her, and was able to observe from such a close proximity the importance of the quality of care they provided. Of course I loved my grandmother unconditionally, but these complete strangers who cared for her with compassion and provided her with a sense of dignity as her body and mind declined amazed me. The importance of the relief they offered to my family by providing such empathetic and compassionate care has remained with me as well. My journey toward a nursing career is rooted in a deep-seated desire to provide compassionate care and advocate for equitable healthcare access. This path has been shaped by diverse experiences, from supporting individuals during significant life events to witnessing healthcare disparities firsthand. Now, as I transition into nursing, I am eager to integrate these experiences with the rigorous academic training I am receiving at NYU to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and communities. Having now completed three semesters at NYU, my commitment to nursing has only deepened. Witnessing firsthand the healthcare disparities that exist and learning more about social determinants of health have solidified my resolve to provide equitable and comprehensive care to those who need it most. As a nursing student, I am committed to lifelong learning and strive to integrate knowledge with hands-on experience to provide holistic, patient-centered care. Recognizing the challenges within the U.S. healthcare system - rising costs, unequal access, and a dwindling workforce - I aim to be part of the solution. I believe nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for equitable healthcare policies and provide informed advice to policymakers. Nurses play a critical role in shaping public health and advocating for systemic changes that benefit our communities. With the support of this scholarship, I will be better equipped to pursue leadership opportunities within nursing and contribute to meaningful healthcare reforms. I envision a future where I not only provide care but also champion systemic changes that promote health equity. Ultimately, I am driven by a commitment to enhance the quality of care for all individuals and to be a part of a movement that addresses the root causes of health disparities in our society. My commitment to nursing is fueled by a passion for helping others and a desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families. As I progress into my new career, I am inspired to practice nursing with the same level of warmth and integrity as the aides who cared for my grandmother, recognizing the person in every patient. Like Sandy, I hope to make a lasting impact on my patients' journeys to recovery and overall health, through both selfless care and advocacy. Sandy's Scholarship would be a pivotal step in my journey, empowering me to achieve my professional goals and serve my community with dedication and compassion.

Like many women, I have personally experienced the challenges of seeking comprehensive, compassionate care, and have watched many of my friends experience the same. In particular, seeing many friends deal with hardship from chronic illnesses, fertility or postpartum needs, I am drawn to pursue nursing within women’s health. Women encounter unique hurdles in our society, and accessing care from providers who know how to truly listen and hear what their patients are saying is not one they should have to face. With my many years in supportive professional roles, I know I can be a compassionate nurse, of service to women and people of many backgrounds and experiences. The depth of knowledge, training, and experience offered through becoming a nurse are uniquely positioning me to serve this role. The last 15 years have taken me on an expansive career journey. In 2008, I received my BFA in Apparel Design from the Rhode Island School of Design, and began a career in that industry. While I loved the creative aspect of my work, I longed to work more directly with people in a supportive role. I began selling wedding gowns, and did so for two years. I loved connecting one-on-one with brides and supporting them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships with them, listening with a compassionate ear, and tending to their needs and those of their friends and families. I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun as well, where I supported families approaching a coming of age milestone for their pre-teen children. While this is a happy occasion, it also comes with much uncertainty and often stress. I offered families attentive and empathetic support as well as provided clear and comprehensive information, collaborating with them to meaningfully mark the occasion. In more recent years, I was able to bridge my caring, people-centered work with an operational role at Global Health Strategies (GHS), which ultimately brought me to pursue nursing as a mid-career transition. Over my time at GHS, I learned a great deal about disparities in healthcare access and the gender disparity in health leadership. Learning about these severe imbalances ignited a fire in my pursuit for a more fulfilling career, and led me to return to school for nursing. Moreover, GHS’ focus on the value of advocacy and activism strengthened in me the interest in fighting for the equity and equality I believe in. As an example, in 2012, GHS founded Universal Health Coverage Day, advocating for affordable, accessible, quality health care for all people. I feel strongly that we must build this fight from the inside. Nurses are in a unique position to create a positive impact on the challenges facing our country’s healthcare system. As such, my plan for community impact extends beyond bedside care. I envision working in community health settings where I can serve diverse populations, increasing health literacy and empowering patients to self-advocate. I am committed to advocating for equitable healthcare policy and workforce development to address critical shortages of providers. By engaging in mentorship programs and demonstrating competent, collaborative, and compassionate care, I hope to inspire others while actively working to dismantle systemic barriers to care. Like Susan, who became a trusted and comforting presence for her patients, I am committed to holistic, humanistic, patient-centered care that honors each person's dignity and humanity. I am ready to dedicate my career to serving others with the same compassion, humor, and unwavering dedication that defined Susan Rita Murray's remarkable forty-two-year legacy.

My decision to pursue a career in nursing represents the convergence of fifteen years of diverse experiences, each teaching me something essential about compassionate service, resilience, and the profound impact of caring for others during life's most vulnerable moments. The foundation was laid in my father's chiropractic office, where I spent countless childhood hours. While I was fascinated by the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing how bones, muscles, and fascia interconnected, what truly shaped me was witnessing the caring relationship between my father and his patients. They left not just physically improved but emotionally uplifted, and my father came home fulfilled, knowing he'd made a difference. This early exposure taught me that healing requires both clinical knowledge and genuine human connection. After earning my BFA in Apparel Design from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2008, I embarked on what seemed like a divergent path. Yet each role revealed the same truth: my deepest fulfillment came from supporting people through significant life transitions. For two years, I sold wedding gowns, connecting one-on-one with brides during what was simultaneously joyous and stressful. I built lasting relationships by listening with a compassionate ear and tending to their needs and those of their families, and I'm still in touch with some of those women eight years later. At Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, I supported families approaching Bar and Bat Mitzvah, a coming-of-age milestone that, despite being celebratory, brought uncertainty and stress. I offered attentive, empathetic support while providing clear, comprehensive information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark these occasions. The pivotal experience came during my nearly four years at Global Health Strategies, where my eyes opened to the severe healthcare inequities plaguing our nation and world. I learned about the imbalanced distribution of life-saving vaccines like COVID-19, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. I discovered the stark gender disparity in health leadership, that 70% of health workers are women, yet 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these systemic failures ignited a fire within me. I realized that nurses, positioned at the frontlines of care, possess unique power to create change through both direct patient care and advocacy for equitable policies. At 37, returning to school required confronting deep-seated fears. For years, I'd doubted my ability to succeed academically after so long away from structured education. Then came my ADHD diagnosis, which paradoxically became a source of strength rather than limitation. With newfound self-awareness, I approached my prerequisite courses by leveraging my visual learning strengths. I illustrated each bone in the human body, different muscle tissue types, and details of the cardiovascular system. My creative approach transformed potential obstacles into opportunities for deeper understanding, bringing me newfound energy and focus. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and adaptation, qualities essential for balancing rigorous academic demands with life's other responsibilities, as Rose Browne exemplified. Like Rose, who earned multiple degrees while working full-time and raising children, I've learned that pursuing meaningful goals requires dedication, creative problem-solving, and unwavering commitment. Nursing isn't just a career, it's a calling that combines scientific knowledge with compassionate service, clinical excellence with advocacy for systemic change, and personal resilience with dedication to others' wellbeing. Every role I've held, every challenge I've overcome, and every person I've supported has prepared me for this path. I'm ready to honor that preparation by becoming the competent, compassionate, and committed nurse that patients deserve.

My path to nursing began long ago at my father's chiropractic office, where I witnessed the transformative power of compassionate healthcare. Watching patients' physical improvement become amplified by emotional uplift, I understood early that healing encompasses more than just clinical expertise, it requires genuine human connection. This lesson, combined with fifteen years of work in supportive roles in my community, revealed my calling - to serve others during their most vulnerable moments with both competence and compassion. The catalyst that solidified my decision came during my time at Global Health Strategies (GHS), where I was confronted with the stark realities of healthcare inequities. Learning about the imbalanced distribution of life-saving vaccines, the gender disparity in health leadership, where 70% of healthcare workers are women, yet only 30% are leaders, and the countless barriers marginalized communities face in accessing care ignited something profound in me. I realized that nurses, positioned at the frontlines of care, possess a unique power to create systemic change, transforming healthcare from within. One of my career goals is to specialize in women's health, addressing severe gaps in compassionate, comprehensive care that I and many friends have experienced firsthand. The underfunding of women's health research and the dismissal of women's symptoms represent critical failures I'm determined to address. I hope to work in community health settings, providing antepartum care to women and non-binary individuals from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I envision creating holistic, patient-centered treatment plans alongside interdisciplinary teams, ensuring every patient feels heard, respected and empowered. I am particularly inspired to provide innovative, integrative care with a forward-thinking, patient-centered approach. Upon being diagnosed with ADHD in my late 30's, I've learned to leverage my creative thinking to approach problems differently, enhancing my clinical learning. This out of the box thinking will enable me to advocate for integrative, personalized care models that address patients' complete wellbeing. Beyond direct patient care, I'm committed to advocacy and activism, extending my nursing care beyond hospital walls into community service. I plan to engage in legislative advocacy for equitable healthcare policies, to mentor future nurses, and to provide health literacy education to empower my patients to advocate for themselves. My experiences at GHS taught me that meaningful change requires both grassroots community engagement as well as policy-level interventions. Elevation of nursing standards and patient care quality requires courage and dedication. I will commit to these values through lifelong learning, speaking up when I observe opportunities for improvement, bringing innovative approaches to patient care, and leading with compassion while pursuing excellence. I know that nursing is not merely a profession - it is a calling to serve, advocate, and continually improve the systems that impact our community.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing the different bones, muscles and fascia, observing how one thing connected to the next. To say I was fascinated with these items would be an understatement. But what truly captivated me was witnessing the caring connection between my father and his patients. They left not just feeling better physically, but with smiles on their faces, and my dad came home each day equally fulfilled, knowing he had helped others. The path to this decision has not been linear. After earning my BFA in Apparel Design from RISD in 2008, I spent fifteen years in various roles and industries - fashion design, bridal consulting, coordinating Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, and finally in operations roles at Global Health Strategies (GHS). In each position, I discovered profound satisfaction in helping people navigate significant, often stressful life transitions with compassionate listening and attentive care. My time at Global Health Strategies (GHS) solidified my decision. Learning about healthcare inequities - the imbalanced COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the gender disparity where 70% of health workers are women yet only 30% are leaders - ignited a passion for systemic change. I realized that nurses, positioned at the frontlines of care, possess unique power to address these disparities through both direct patient care and advocacy. Returning to school at 37 required courage. After receiving an ADHD diagnosis, I approached my prerequisite courses with newfound self-awareness, using my visual learning strengths to illustrate anatomical structures and deepen my understanding. This experience confirmed that obstacles can become opportunities, and I'm now enthusiastically pursuing nursing to combine my compassionate nature with my commitment to health equity and excellence in patient care. "Human touch" encompasses both the literal physical connection between healthcare provider and patient, and the deeper emotional presence, empathy, and genuine care that transforms medical treatment into healing. Observing my father's work taught me this dual meaning intimately. My father treated people with his hands, using skilled manipulation to heal their bodies, but in doing so, he also lifted their spirits. His patients didn't just receive physical adjustments. They experienced being truly seen, heard, and cared for. This combination of clinical skill and compassionate presence created healing that extended far beyond the physical realm. Human touch in nursing means approaching each patient as a whole person, not merely a diagnosis or set of symptoms. It means making eye contact, listening without interruption, holding someone's hand during a difficult moment, and recognizing that a gentle, skilled physical examination can itself be therapeutic. When I supported brides during their wedding gown appointments, I learned that my attentive presence, listening with a compassionate ear, understanding their anxieties, and tending to their needs, created an environment where they felt safe and valued. This same principle applies exponentially in healthcare settings, where patients are often frightened, vulnerable, and uncertain. The impact of human touch on patient care cannot be overstated. Research shows that patients who feel genuinely cared for experience better outcomes, increased treatment adherence, and faster recovery times. When healthcare providers demonstrate empathy and compassion, patients are more likely to share crucial information, ask important questions, and participate actively in their care plans. Conversely, the absence of human touch in rushed appointments, dismissive attitudes, or lack of eye contact, can lead to missed diagnoses, medical mistrust, and poor health outcomes, particularly among marginalized populations already facing systemic healthcare barriers. My goal as a future nurse is to embody the human touch my father demonstrated, combining clinical excellence with genuine compassion, treating each patient with dignity and respect, and recognizing that healing requires both skilled hands and an open heart. Like Mary Lou Losinger, I aspire to be a nurse not just during work hours, but in all aspects of life, bringing that compassionate presence to everyone I encounter. Human touch reminds us that nursing is fundamentally about human connection - about showing up fully for others in their most vulnerable moments and providing care that honors their complete humanity.

My path to nursing began long ago at my father's chiropractic office, where I witnessed the transformative power of compassionate healthcare. Watching patients' physical improvement become amplified by emotional uplift, I understood early that healing encompasses more than just clinical expertise, it requires genuine human connection. This lesson, combined with fifteen years of work in supportive roles, revealed my calling - to serve others during their most vulnerable moments with both competence and compassion. The catalyst that solidified my decision came during my time at Global Health Strategies (GHS), where I was confronted with the stark realities of healthcare inequities. Learning about the imbalanced distribution of life-saving vaccines, the gender disparity in health leadership, where 70% of healthcare workers are women, yet only 30% are leaders, and the countless barriers marginalized communities face in accessing care ignited something profound in me. I realized that nurses, positioned at the frontlines of care, possess a unique power to create systemic change. Like Maureen C. Pace, who advanced from bedside care to hospital leadership, I recognized that nurses can transform healthcare from within. One of my career goals is to specialize in women's health, addressing severe gaps in compassionate, comprehensive care that I and many friends have experienced firsthand. The underfunding of women's health research and the dismissal of women's symptoms represent critical failures I'm determined to address. I hope to work in community health settings, providing antepartum care to women and non-binary individuals from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I envision creating holistic, patient-centered treatment plans alongside interdisciplinary teams, ensuring every patient feels heard, respected and empowered. Maureen's commitment to innovative, integrative care particularly resonates with me. Her pioneering Integrative Health Suite for breast cancer patients exemplifies the forward-thinking, patient-centered approach I aspire to embody. Upon being diagnosed with ADHD in my late 30's, I've learned to leverage my creative thinking to approach problems differently, enhancing my clinical learning. This out of the box thinking will enable me to advocate for integrative, personalized care models that address patients' complete wellbeing. Beyond direct patient care, I'm committed to advocacy and activism. Maureen's volunteer work demonstrates how nursing extends beyond hospital walls into community service. I plan to engage in legislative advocacy for equitable healthcare policies, to mentor future nurses, and to provide health literacy education to empower my patients to advocate for themselves. My experiences at GHS taught me that meaningful change requires both grassroots community engagement as well as policy-level interventions. Maureen's career trajectory exemplifies the courage and dedication required to elevate nursing standards and patient care quality. I will carry forward her values by committing to lifelong learning, speaking up when I observe opportunities for improvement, bringing innovative approaches to patient care, and leading with compassion while pursuing excellence. Her legacy reminds me that nursing is not merely a profession - it is a calling to serve, advocate, and continually improve the systems that impact our community.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing the different bones, muscles and fascia, observing how one thing connected to the next. To say I was fascinated with these items would be an understatement. But what truly captivated me was witnessing the caring connection between my father and his patients, how they left not just feeling better physically, but with smiles on their faces. This early exposure to the interconnectedness of health and chesed - loving-kindness - planted seeds that would take time to blossom into my calling to nursing. The path to this decision has not been linear. After earning my BFA in Apparel Design from RISD in 2008, I spent fifteen years in various roles and industries - fashion design, bridal consulting, coordinating B'nai Mitzvot at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan, and finally in operations roles at Global Health Strategies (GHS). Throughout each position, a common thread emerged: my deep fulfillment from supporting people through significant, often stressful life moments. Whether helping brides find their perfect gown or guiding families through their children's coming-of-age milestones, I discovered my strength in offering compassionate, attentive support while providing clear communication and collaborative solutions. My time at GHS solidified my decision to pursue nursing. Learning about severe health inequities - the imbalanced distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, the gender disparity where 70% of health workers are women, yet 70% of health leaders are men - ignited a fired within me. I realized that nurses have unique power to create positive change through both direct patient care and advocacy. This recognition aligned perfectly with the values instilled in me since childhood: that every person deserves respect, dignity and compassionate care, that we must advocate for what we believe in, and that we must lead with chesed. These values are deeply rooted in my Jewish upbringing. The concept of tikkun olam, repairing the world, has always resonated with me as both a responsibility and a calling. Working at B'nai Jeshurun reinforced how supporting others through life's meaningful moments is sacred work. Judaism teaches that pikuach nefesh, preservation of human life, supersedes nearly all other commandments, underscoring the profound importance of healthcare work. Finally, chesed guides my approach to patient care, reminding me that compassion must accompany competence. Returning to school in my late 30's required genuine chutzpah! For years, I feared this leap, doubting my ability to succeed academically after so much time away from formal education. Receiving an ADHD diagnosis around the same time paradoxically became a source of strength. Rather than letting self-doubt win, I approached my prerequisite courses with newfound self-awareness, tapping into my visual learning style and illustrating each bone in the body, different types of muscle tissue, and details of the cardiovascular system. This helped me transform potential obstacles into a creative opportunity for deeper understanding of the interconnected systems in the body. This journey has taught me that chutzpah isn't the absence of fear or doubt - it is the courage to pursue your calling in spite of them. My faith guides me through obstacles so they become opportunities for growth. It reminds me that speaking up, for myself, for patients, for marginalized communities, is not just acceptable, but necessary. I am pursuing nursing because I live by my Jewish values. I am called to serve others, to fight for equity and justice, and to bring light into places of suffering. With faith and a little chutzpah, I'm ready to be the confident, compassionate and bold nurse my patients deserve.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters on the walls and skeletal models throughout exam rooms, scrutinizing the different bones, muscles and fascia, observing how one thing connected to the next. To say I was fascinated with these items would be an understatement. On top of my fascination, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile on their faces. When my dad came home each day, he too had a smile on his face, knowing he did his best to help his patients. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, not only from a scientific perspective, but from a humanistic one as well. The last 15 years have taken me on an expansive career journey. After receiving my BFA in Apparel Design and working for 5 years in that industry, I found I longed to work more directly with people in a supportive role, and began selling wedding gowns. I loved connecting one-on-one with brides and supporting them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun as well, where I supported families approaching a coming of age milestone for their pre-teen children. I offered families attentive, collaborative, and empathetic support while also providing clear and comprehensive information. In the years before returning to school, I was able to bridge my caring, people-centered work with an operational role at Global Health Strategies (GHS), which ultimately brought me to pursue nursing as a mid-career transition. Over my time at GHS, I learned a great deal about disparities in healthcare access and the gender disparity in health leadership. Learning about these severe imbalances ignited a fire in my pursuit for a more fulfilling career, and led me to return to school for nursing. Moreover, GHS’ focus on the value of advocacy and activism strengthened in me the interest in fighting for the equity and equality I believe in. As an example, in 2012, GHS founded Universal Health Coverage Day, advocating for affordable, accessible, quality health care for all people. I feel strongly that we must build this fight from the inside. Nurses are in a unique position to create a positive impact on the challenges facing our country’s healthcare system. Reflecting on the path I’ve taken to this moment, I am confident that the varied academic and professional experiences I’ve had to this point will serve me well as I transition into my career as a nurse. In order to focus on and excel in my studies, I made the difficult decision to leave my job at GHS. I feel deeply fortunate to be able to learn at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, and at the same time am intimately aware of the financial burden this education will generate. In order to be able to focus on my studies without the stress of the cost of tuition and that of life in New York, I am seeking consideration for the Maureen C. Pace Memorial Nursing Scholarship.

Rising costs, inequality in access to care, and an increasing burden on a dwindling population of healthcare providers all challenge today’s US Healthcare System. These issues are not just statistics; they represent real struggles faced by individuals, particularly in marginalized communities. The greatest impact of these challenges is often felt by those who are already vulnerable, amplifying existing disparities. As the front line of care, nurses can play a key role in addressing these pressing issues. For this reason, among many others, I am enthusiastic about a career as a nurse in a community health setting. One possibility I envision for my life as a community health nurse is offering pre- and postpartum care to birthing individuals. I hope to work in a collaborative environment with an interdisciplinary team of providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. This community health setting will provide invaluable opportunities to gain clinical experience while supporting birthing individuals and families of all ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. I believe that education is a powerful tool for change, and I aim to support initiatives that increase health literacy among all populations. By instilling confidence in patients and their families, I hope to empower them to advocate for themselves effectively within healthcare settings. It is crucial for me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, guiding them through their health journeys and fostering a sense of agency and trust. Many of my core values closely align with the foundational principles of nursing. I am passionate about equality and equity for all. Raised with the belief that every person deserves respect, dignity and compassion, I understand the importance of creating an equitable environment where opportunities are accessible to everyone. I believe in leading with kindness and advocating for what is right. While a commitment to advocacy and activism was instilled in me from a very young age, my time at Global Health Strategies strengthened my sense of duty to these tools. Nurses are in a unique position to address health challenges in the community by advocating for equitable healthcare policies. With on-the-ground experience, nurses can offer real-world, informed advice to the government officials and policy makers implementing positive change. As I begin my career as a professional nurse, I am eager to learn as much as I can about the nursing field as a whole, particularly in the context of serving marginalized communities in a community health setting. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need. I envision a future where I not only provide care but also champion systemic changes that promote health equity. Ultimately, I am driven by a commitment to enhance the quality of care for all individuals and to be a part of a movement that addresses the root causes of health disparities in our society.

Like many women, I have personally experienced the challenges of seeking comprehensive, compassionate care, and have watched many of my friends experience the same. In particular, seeing many friends deal with hardship from chronic illnesses, fertility or postpartum needs, I am drawn to pursue nursing within women’s health. Women encounter unique hurdles in our society, and accessing care from providers who know how to truly listen and hear what their patients are saying is not one they should have to face. With my many years in supportive professional roles, I know I can be a compassionate nurse, of service to people of many backgrounds and experiences. The depth of knowledge, training, and experience offered at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing will uniquely position me to serve this role. I recently learned about my own resiliency when I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 37. I did not let this diagnosis deter me from pursuing a career in nursing, despite having long feared returning to school. Equipped with this newfound self-awareness, I have been able to approach my studies in a more enlightened way, tapping into my strengths as a visual person to more deeply understand the interconnected systems of the body. I even illustrated for myself each bone in the human skeleton, different types of muscle tissue and details of the cardiovascular system. By depicting these structures, I have gained a more complete knowledge of the functions and interconnectedness of each one. This new spotlight on my creative thinking capabilities leads me to believe that I will be able to think outside the box in caring for patients, ensuring my colleagues and I are using an integrative approach to treatment. Using my brain in a way I hadn’t in many years has brought me a newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. Further, I am passionate about ensuring other women are able to achieve similar feelings of validation in their health journeys. To achieve this goal, I recognize the importance of ongoing professional development and advanced training, which can be financially demanding. The Pangeta & Ivory Nursing Scholarship would significantly alleviate the financial burden of my nursing education, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies and clinical practice without the distraction of financial stress. It would enable me to invest in additional resources, such as textbooks, clinical supplies, and specialized training workshops. I aspire to not only provide high-quality care to my patients but also to engage in community health initiatives that promote wellness and prevent illness among vulnerable populations. Nurses play a critical role in shaping public health and advocating for systemic changes that benefit our communities. With the support of this scholarship, I will be better equipped to pursue leadership opportunities within nursing and contribute to meaningful healthcare reforms. My commitment to nursing is fueled by a passion for helping others and a desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families. The Pangeta & Ivory Nursing Scholarship would be a pivotal step in my journey, empowering me to achieve my professional goals and serve my community with dedication and compassion. Thank you for considering my application.

My journey toward a nursing career is rooted in a deep-seated desire to provide compassionate care and advocate for equitable healthcare access. This path has been shaped by diverse experiences, from supporting individuals during significant life events to witnessing healthcare disparities firsthand. Now, as I transition into nursing, I am eager to integrate these experiences with the rigorous academic training I am receiving at NYU to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and communities. My interest in medicine began in childhood, observing my father's work as a chiropractor. I was fascinated not only by anatomy but also by the caring connection he had with his patients. This early exposure instilled in me a humanistic perspective on healthcare, emphasizing the importance of empathy and comprehensive care. Later, working in roles where I provided direct support to people during significant life transitions, I honed my ability to connect with individuals, listen with empathy, and provide comprehensive information and support. Having now completed my first semester at NYU, my commitment to nursing, especially for underserved populations, has only deepened. Witnessing firsthand the healthcare disparities that exist and learning more about social determinants of health have solidified my resolve to provide equitable and comprehensive care to those who need it most. As a nursing student, I am committed to lifelong learning and strive to integrate knowledge with hands-on experience to provide holistic, patient-centered care. Recognizing the challenges within the U.S. healthcare system—rising costs, unequal access, and a dwindling workforce—I aim to be part of the solution. I believe nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for equitable healthcare policies and provide informed advice to policymakers. The Beverly J. Patterson Scholarship would significantly alleviate the financial burden of my nursing education, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies and clinical practice, without the distraction of financial stress. It would enable me to invest in additional resources, such as textbooks, clinical supplies, and specialized training workshops. I aspire to not only provide high-quality care to my patients but also to engage in community health initiatives that promote wellness and prevent illness among vulnerable populations. Nurses play a critical role in shaping public health and advocating for systemic changes that benefit our communities. With the support of this scholarship, I will be better equipped to pursue leadership opportunities within nursing and contribute to meaningful healthcare reforms. I envision a future where I not only provide care but also champion systemic changes that promote health equity. Ultimately, I am driven by a commitment to enhance the quality of care for all individuals and to be a part of a movement that addresses the root causes of health disparities in our society. My commitment to nursing is fueled by a passion for helping others and a desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families. The Beverly J. Patterson Scholarship would be a pivotal step in my journey, empowering me to achieve my professional goals and serve my community with dedication and compassion.

My journey toward a nursing career is rooted in a deep-seated desire to provide compassionate care and advocate for equitable healthcare access. This path has been shaped by diverse experiences, from supporting individuals during significant life events to witnessing healthcare disparities firsthand. Now, as I transition into nursing, I am eager to integrate these experiences with the rigorous academic training I am receiving at NYU to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and communities. My interest in medicine began in childhood, observing my father's work as a chiropractor. I was fascinated not only by anatomy but also by the caring connection he had with his patients. This early exposure instilled in me a humanistic perspective on healthcare, emphasizing the importance of empathy and comprehensive care. Later, working in roles where I provided direct support to people during significant life transitions, I honed my ability to connect with individuals, listen with empathy, and provide comprehensive information and support. Having now completed my first semester at NYU, my commitment to nursing, especially for underserved populations, has only deepened. Witnessing firsthand the healthcare disparities that exist and learning more about social determinants of health have solidified my resolve to provide equitable and comprehensive care to those who need it most. As a nursing student, I am committed to lifelong learning and strive to integrate knowledge with hands-on experience to provide holistic, patient-centered care. Recognizing the challenges within the U.S. healthcare system—rising costs, unequal access, and a dwindling workforce—I aim to be part of the solution. I believe nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for equitable healthcare policies and provide informed advice to policymakers. The Eric Maurice Brandon Memorial Scholarship would significantly alleviate the financial burden of my nursing education, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies and clinical practice, without the distraction of financial stress. It would enable me to invest in additional resources, such as textbooks, clinical supplies, and specialized training workshops. I aspire to not only provide high-quality care to my patients but also to engage in community health initiatives that promote wellness and prevent illness among vulnerable populations. Nurses play a critical role in shaping public health and advocating for systemic changes that benefit our communities. With the support of this scholarship, I will be better equipped to pursue leadership opportunities within nursing and contribute to meaningful healthcare reforms. I envision a future where I not only provide care but also champion systemic changes that promote health equity. Ultimately, I am driven by a commitment to enhance the quality of care for all individuals and to be a part of a movement that addresses the root causes of health disparities in our society. My commitment to nursing is fueled by a passion for helping others and a desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families. The Eric Maurice Brandon Memorial Scholarship would be a pivotal step in my journey, empowering me to achieve my professional goals and serve my community with dedication and compassion.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. One possibility I envision for my life as a nurse is working in a community health setting, offering pre- and postpartum care to women and non-binary birthers. I hope to work in a collaborative setting with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. A community health setting will also allow me the opportunity to gain clinical experience supporting people of all ages and from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would like to support education services to increase health literacy among all populations, instilling in women a confidence to advocate for themselves in a health setting. It is important to me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, supporting them through their health journeys. Over the coming years, I hope to learn as much as I can about the nursing field in general, as well as the specifics of serving women. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. One possibility I envision for my life as a nurse is working in a community health setting, offering pre- and postpartum care to women and non-binary birthers. I hope to work in a collaborative setting with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. A community health setting will also allow me the opportunity to gain clinical experience supporting women of all ages and from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would like to support education services to increase health literacy among all populations, instilling in women a confidence to advocate for themselves in a health setting. It is important to me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, supporting them through their health journeys. Over the coming years, I hope to learn as much as I can about the nursing field in general, as well as the specifics of serving women. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. One possibility I envision for my life as a nurse is working in a community health setting, offering pre- and postpartum care to women and non-binary people. I hope to work in a collaborative setting with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. A community health setting will also allow me the opportunity to gain clinical experience supporting women of all ages and from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would like to support education services to increase health literacy among all populations, instilling in women a confidence to advocate for themselves in a health setting. It is important to me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, supporting them through their health journeys. Over the coming years, I hope to learn as much as I can about the nursing field in general, as well as the specifics of serving women. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. One possibility I envision for my life as a nurse is working in a community health setting, offering pre- and postpartum care to women and non-binary people. I hope to work in a collaborative setting with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. A community health setting will also allow me the opportunity to gain clinical experience supporting women of all ages and from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would like to support education services to increase health literacy among all populations, instilling in women a confidence to advocate for themselves in a health setting. It is important to me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, supporting them through their health journeys. Over the coming years, I hope to learn as much as I can about the nursing field in general, as well as the specifics of serving women. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. One possibility I envision for my life as a nurse is working in a community health setting, offering pre- and postpartum care to women and non-binary people. I hope to work in a collaborative setting with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. A community health setting will also allow me the opportunity to gain clinical experience supporting women of all ages and from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would like to support education services to increase health literacy among all populations, instilling in women a confidence to advocate for themselves in a health setting. It is important to me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, supporting them through their health journeys. Over the coming years, I hope to learn as much as I can about the nursing field in general, as well as the specifics of serving women. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. One possibility I envision for my life as a nurse is working in a community health setting, offering pre- and postpartum care to women and non-binary people. I hope to work in a collaborative setting with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. A community health setting will also allow me the opportunity to gain clinical experience supporting women of all ages and from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would like to support education services to increase health literacy among all populations, instilling in women a confidence to advocate for themselves in a health setting. It is important to me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, supporting them through their health journeys. Over the coming years, I hope to learn as much as I can about the nursing field in general, as well as the specifics of serving women. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

I recently learned about my own resiliency when I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 37. After decades of struggling with anxiety and depression, discovering that, in fact, I am neurodivergent, gave me immense validation. Throughout my schooling, I struggled to understand where I fit in - in my family, as a learner, and as a career-seeker. I never felt I was "smart enough," but the understanding that my brain simply works in a different way, and that I am one of the countless women whose ADHD was misdiagnosed as anxiety and depression, gave me the confidence to approach my career discovery journey in a different way. I long feared returning to school, but having this newfound self-awareness, I pushed myself to pursue a career in nursing. Having this newfound self-awareness, I have been able to approach my studies in a more enlightened way, tapping into my unique strengths and interests to shape my success. In my prerequisite Developmental Psychology course, I was able to study Dr. Ellen B Littman, a psychologist who focuses on women and girls with ADHD, as well as high-IQ neurodivergent people. Through learning about her work, I was able to see myself more clearly and with an immense amount of compassion. I have also leaned into my strengths as a visual person to more deeply understand the interconnected systems of the body. I even illustrated for myself each bone in the human skeleton, different types of muscle tissue and details of the cardiovascular system in my Anatomy and Physiology class. By depicting these structures, I have gained a more complete knowledge of the functions and interconnectedness of each one. This new spotlight on my creative thinking capabilities leads me to believe that I will be able to think outside the box in caring for patients, ensuring my colleagues and I are using an integrative approach to treatment. Using my brain in a way I hadn’t in many years has brought me a newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. Further, I am passionate about ensuring other women are able to achieve similar feelings of validation in their health journeys.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. I am confident that my experience offering caring and collaborative support to clients will help me be an attentive and compassionate health provider. With this and my great interest in continuing to learn about health of the body and mind, I look forward to learning as much as I can about the nursing field. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. I am confident that my experience offering caring and collaborative support to clients will help me be an attentive and compassionate health provider. With this and my great interest in continuing to learn about health of the body and mind, I look forward to learning as much as I can about the nursing field. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.

As a child, I often found myself at my father’s chiropractic office. I would marvel at the anatomy posters and skeletal models, scrutinizing bones, muscles and fascia, how one thing connected to the next. Beyond these items, what stood out to me was the caring connection between my father and his patients. Not only did they walk out of his office feeling better, but they did so with a smile. When my dad came home each day, he too wore a smile, knowing he did his best to help people. This environment instilled in me an early interest in medicine, from both a scientific and humanistic viewpoint. The last 15 years have taken me on a broad career journey. After receiving my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and pursuing a career in fashion, I found I wanted to work more directly with people. In my time selling wedding gowns, I loved being able to connect directly with brides and support them through what was both a joyous and stressful time. I was able to build relationships, listen with a compassionate ear, and tend to their needs and those of their companions. I am still in touch with some of them today! I carried this ethos into my work at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where I supported families approaching B’nai Mitzvah, a coming of age milestone for their pre-teens. While this is a happy occasion, it can also come with uncertainty and stress. I was able to offer attentive, empathetic support as well as provide clear, thorough information, collaborating with families to meaningfully mark the occasion. My time at Global Health Strategies highlighted health disparities for me. I learned about inequity in access to care, such as imbalance in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I learned about the gender disparity in health leadership - while 70% of health workers are women, 70% of health leaders are men. Learning about these severe gaps ignited my pursuit for a more fulfilling career. I had long feared returning to school. Once I began my courses however, I was excited and engaged. I found that being an adult student suited me well. Using my mind in ways I hadn’t in many years brought me newfound energy and focus, and I am enthusiastic about continuing my learning journey. One possibility I envision for my life as a nurse is working in a community health setting, offering pre- and postpartum care to women and non-binary people. I hope to work in a collaborative setting with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, offering holistic, patient-centered treatment plans to our clients. A community health setting will also allow me the opportunity to gain clinical experience supporting women of all ages and from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I would like to support education services to increase health literacy among all populations, instilling in women a confidence to advocate for themselves in a health setting. It is important to me to have the opportunity to work face-to-face with patients, supporting them through their health journeys. Over the coming years, I hope to learn as much as I can about the nursing field in general, as well as the specifics of serving women. I am excited to discover my place within the health work environment so I can best serve populations in need.