My decision to pursue a career in pediatric medicine is deeply rooted in both personal experience and professional growth. The most profound influence on my path was the life and loss of my 10-year-old son, who battled brain cancer. He received his care at Seattle Children’s, where I witnessed firsthand the impact that compassionate, skilled providers can have on both patients and families. During that time, I was not a healthcare provider—I was a mother navigating a complex and often overwhelming medical system. That experience shaped my understanding of what meaningful, patient-centered care looks like and inspired me to pursue nursing. After becoming a nurse, I chose to work in pediatric oncology, where I spent two years caring for children facing cancer and other life-threatening conditions. This role allowed me to honor my son’s life and legacy by supporting families walking a path similar to mine. I was able to connect with patients and parents on a deeply personal level, offering empathy and understanding alongside clinical care. Being present for families during some of their most difficult moments was both meaningful and humbling. However, working in pediatric oncology also meant continually revisiting my own grief. While the work was purposeful, it was emotionally demanding in ways that became difficult to sustain. Over time, I recognized the importance of caring for my own well-being and made the decision to transition out of oncology nursing. This was not a step away from my purpose, but rather a step toward continuing my work in pediatric care in a healthier, more sustainable way. These experiences solidified my commitment to pediatric medicine as a whole. I realized that my passion extends beyond acute illness to include prevention, education, and long-term support for children and families. I want to be part of a healthcare system that supports children across all stages of development and wellness. This has motivated me to pursue my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), where I can expand my role as a provider and advocate for children’s health. I am particularly passionate about addressing disparities in pediatric care, especially for minority and underserved populations. My experience as a mother navigating the healthcare system opened my eyes to the inequities that exist, including barriers to timely and equitable care. As a provider, I want to ensure that every child is seen, heard, and treated with dignity, regardless of their background. I am committed to building trust with families and advocating for care that is both compassionate and equitable. Ultimately, my journey into pediatric medicine is one of resilience, purpose, and growth. My son’s life continues to inspire the work that I do, guiding me toward a career where I can make a meaningful difference. While my path has evolved, my mission remains the same: to provide compassionate, equitable care to children and families and to be a source of strength and support during both the most difficult and most hopeful moments of their lives.

My journey toward higher education has been shaped by profound life experiences, personal loss, and a deep desire to create meaningful change in the lives of others. I returned to school to pursue my nursing degree at the age of 49, following the devastating loss of my 10-year-old son to brain cancer. In the midst of grief, I found myself surrounded by nurses who provided not only medical care but also compassion, dignity, and emotional support during the most difficult time of my life. Their presence inspired me to pursue nursing, not just as a career, but as a calling rooted in empathy and human connection. Becoming a nurse later in life brought both challenges and clarity. My life experience strengthened my resilience, discipline, and sense of purpose. Working in pediatric nursing, I am reminded daily of my son and the families who face similar fears and uncertainties. This has shaped my personal values—compassion, equity, and advocacy—and has driven my commitment to providing patient-centered care that acknowledges each individual’s story. I strive to be a nurse who listens without judgment and supports families through both healing and hardship. As I gained experience in the field, I became increasingly aware of the disparities within our healthcare system, particularly the lack of access to providers in rural and underserved communities. I have witnessed firsthand the barriers many patients face, including limited resources, long wait times, and inequities in care. These experiences motivated me to return to school again at the age of 53 to pursue my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). I realized that while nursing allowed me to make a difference at the bedside, advancing my education would give me the ability to expand my impact as a provider and advocate for systemic change. My commitment to service extends beyond my professional role. I have volunteered on a suicide crisis hotline, where I provided emotional support to individuals in their most vulnerable moments. This experience deepened my understanding of mental health challenges and reinforced the importance of listening with empathy and without judgment. Additionally, my involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters allowed me to mentor and support youth, emphasizing the importance of guidance, trust, and positive role modeling. These experiences have strengthened my dedication to community service and my belief that meaningful change begins with connection and compassion. My career aspirations are deeply rooted in serving underserved and rural communities where access to quality healthcare is limited. I want to be a provider who not only treats illness but also focuses on prevention, education, and long-term wellness. I am committed to building trust within communities that have historically been overlooked and to ensuring that all patients receive equitable, high-quality care regardless of their background. This scholarship will play a critical role in helping me achieve these goals. As someone who supports myself financially while pursuing an advanced degree, the burden of tuition and educational expenses is significant. This support will allow me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical training, reducing financial stress and enabling me to continue my path toward becoming a provider. Ultimately, my journey is one of resilience, purpose, and transformation. Through higher education, I am not only advancing my career but also honoring my son’s legacy by dedicating my life to compassionate care, community service, and meaningful change.

My decision to pursue nursing was born from one of the most painful experiences of my life—the loss of my 10-year-old son to brain cancer. In the midst of overwhelming grief, I found myself surrounded by nurses who provided not only clinical care but also compassion, presence, and humanity during unimaginable moments. It was through this experience that I realized nursing was more than a profession; it was a calling. Witnessing the impact that empathetic, patient-centered care had on my son and my family inspired me to become that source of support for others facing similar challenges. As I began my journey in healthcare, I quickly became aware of the disparities that exist within the system, particularly for minority patients. I understand firsthand the challenges of navigating a predominantly white healthcare system, where implicit bias and social determinants of health can influence the quality of care patients receive. These experiences have shaped my perspective and strengthened my commitment to becoming a provider who actively listens, advocates, and treats every patient with dignity and respect. I am pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) because I want to be a provider who does not stereotype patients based on their race, where they live, or their family’s educational level. Every patient deserves to feel heard, understood, and valued. I want to create a healthcare environment where patients feel safe and empowered to participate in their care. My goal is to practice with cultural humility, challenge inequities within the healthcare system, and contribute to improving outcomes for all patients, especially those who have historically been underserved. I am also deeply committed to working in underserved communities after graduation. I recognize that many individuals and families face significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare, including financial limitations, lack of resources, and systemic inequities. I want to dedicate my career to addressing these gaps by providing compassionate care, promoting health education, and advocating for preventive services that support long-term wellness. Serving these communities is not only a professional goal but a personal mission. Ultimately, my journey into nursing is rooted in both personal loss and a desire to create meaningful change. My son’s life and legacy continue to guide my purpose and fuel my determination. Through nursing, I have found a way to transform grief into service. I am committed to becoming a provider who listens without judgment, cares without bias, and works to ensure that every patient receives equitable, compassionate, and high-quality care.

Returning to school has been one of the most challenging and transformative experiences of my life. While pursuing my education in pediatric nursing, I have had to navigate profound personal grief, limited support systems, and significant financial responsibility. Each of these challenges has tested my resilience, but they have also strengthened my sense of purpose and commitment to my career. The most significant challenge I have faced is the grief of losing my 10-year-old son to brain cancer. Returning to an academic and clinical environment centered around children has required me to confront that loss daily. Pediatric nursing, in particular, brings me face-to-face with families experiencing fear, uncertainty, and sometimes devastating outcomes. At times, this has been emotionally overwhelming. However, my grief has also deepened my empathy and strengthened my ability to connect with patients and families. I understand their pain in a way that goes beyond textbooks or training, and this has shaped me into a more compassionate and present nurse. While the grief never fully disappears, I have learned to carry it with purpose, allowing it to guide my care rather than hinder it. In addition to emotional challenges, I have had limited emotional and financial support while returning to school. At this time in my life, family and friends do not understand how obtaining my doctoral degree in pediatrics will benifit so many families in rural areas, which is what I desire to do upon graduation. Balancing academic demands, clinical hours, and personal responsibilities without a strong support system has often felt isolating, especially when I am fully responsible for supporting myself. There have been moments when the combined weight of expectations and financial pressure felt heavy to carry alone. Returning to school has required careful planning, sacrifice, and persistence. Despite these challenges, I have developed a strong sense of independence, discipline, and self-reliance. Navigating both limited support and limited finances has pushed me to advocate for myself, seek out resources, and remain focused on my long-term goals even when immediate circumstances were overwhelming. These experiences have not only tested my resilience but have also strengthened my determination to succeed. Every class completed and every milestone reached represents more than academic progress—it reflects perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to building a better future. Ultimately, the obstacles I have faced have become the foundation of my strength. They remind me why I chose this path and continue to motivate me to persevere, even on the most difficult days. At the end of my nursing program, I will have earned a Doctoral degree in Primary Pediatrics, which will allow me to work in a rural area and supply a needed service.

My experiences with mental health have deeply shaped my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations, transforming both how I see the world and how I show up in it. Being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) was one of the most pivotal moments in my life. For a long time, it felt like a label filled with stigma, and my psychiatrist even told me not to tell people. Over time, with therapy's help, it became a lens through which I could better understand my emotions, my need for connection, and my resilience. It challenged me to develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy—not only for myself but for others who struggle in ways that are often unseen. Mental health became even more personal after the loss of my nephew to suicide in 2024. That experience shifted my belief system in a way that no textbook or training ever could. It reinforced the reality that mental health is not abstract—it is urgent, fragile, and life-altering. It also deepened my conviction that silence and stigma are dangerous. I began to talk about my mental health challenges more openly as a means to counter the stigma associated with them. In doing so, I have spoken with many people about the challenges they are going through and have been able to support them. I came to believe that conversations about mental health should be as normalized as conversations about physical health, because both are equally vital to survival. The loss of my only son to brain cancer added another layer to my understanding of mental health: grief. Grief is not just an emotion; it is an ongoing psychological process that reshapes identity, perspective, and daily functioning. Managing grief has required me to acknowledge that mental health is not something we “fix” but something we continuously navigate. This experience has made me more compassionate and present in my relationships. I have learned to listen more deeply, to sit with discomfort, and to offer support without trying to immediately solve or minimize pain. I am more attuned to others' struggles and more intentional in how I communicate and support those around me. Professionally, my journey has directly shaped my path in pediatric nursing. I am currently working towards my doctoral degree in primary pediatric, so I able to manage not only basic health needs but also offer more support on mental health needs. Working with children and families, I see firsthand how mental health intersects with physical illness, trauma, and family dynamics. My personal experiences allow me to approach patients and families with a level of compassion and understanding that goes beyond clinical training. I am not just treating symptoms; I am acknowledging the emotional and psychological experiences that accompany them. Additionally, volunteering on the Agora Crisis Hotline at the University of New Mexico has given me a space to actively support individuals in moments of acute emotional distress. This work reinforces my belief that simply being present and listening can be life-saving. It has strengthened my communication skills and deepened my commitment to mental health advocacy. Ultimately, my experiences have taught me that mental health affects everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. It is not a separate part of our lives—it is woven into every aspect of who we are. These experiences have not only shaped my beliefs and relationships but have also solidified my purpose: to provide compassionate, informed care and to be a voice for those who feel unheard.

Mental health has been shaping my life through my own diagnosis in 2000 of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), my son’s ADHD label, my niece’s eating disorder and my nephew’s suicide. For me it was being told by my therapist that because the stigma associated with BPD was so negative, I should not tell people about my diagnosis. His recommendation made me feel more isolated and broken than I was already feeling. And for a brief time, I allowed his comments to take away any sense of hope I had of finding a place to fit in. Fortunately, through DBT therapy I was able to find confidence again in who I was and not let the stigma of BPD become who I am. Now, I talk to people about mental health and the challenges I have experienced. I have found that my openness with others allows them a safe space to share their experiences, and within this exchange we create a supportive place for us both. I want to continue to foster this environment both with adults and the children I work with.      Mental health also affected my life when my son’s ADHD label postponed his diagnoses of and treated for brain cancer. The doctors kept telling me to get him a therapist and that he needed more discipline and consistence at home and were denying my request for additional medical testing. I had to navigate through a healthcare system that was paying more attention to my son’s ADHD label than his medical symptoms. As a future healthcare provider, I will listen to my patients and their families and make medical decisions based on symptoms, not labels. And then there was my most recent experience with mental health. On the last day of Mental Health Awareness month this year, my nephew committed suicide by jumping off a mountain. No one in the family saw this coming, but I guess people usually don’t. He had been known to have episodes of depression, but at the time of his passing he appeared to be in a positive space. He enjoyed his job and had been participating in activities with friends and family. Then on May 31st, he left work early, text him mom goodbye and jumped.      Mental illness is something I am far too familiar with, and these experiences have impacted my beliefs regarding mental health. Despite years of therapy and a basic understanding of mental health, I still feel helpless when it comes to providing support to others. Mental health is not a choice. Family and friends kept saying that my son did not have a choice when it came to his passing from brain cancer, but that my nephew had a choice about committing suicide. I disagree with this statement. I believe that in his mind, at that moment, he did not feel he had a choice and that jumping was the only way to deal with what was going on in his mind. Unfortunately, I do not have the answers, but I do know it is important to let people know you see and hear them no matter how trivial their challenges may seem to you. At that time, in that moment, that person needs to be heard.      It would be arrogant of me to say I understand the world due to my personal experiences with mental health. What I do know, is that it is important to remember that you do not know what someone is going through. For this reason, I do my best to meet people where they are at in that moment and respect their feeling regardless of my opinion of the situation. This is also the type of health care provider I aim to role model. Mental illness is scary, creates uncertainty in one’s thoughts, can be isolating, and affect a person’s life in countless ways. In addition, the world is messy, confusing, and stressful, and I believe I am not the only person who feels this way. Mental health stigma, though it is getting better, still has a ways to go. I believe it is important to work towards breaking down these stigmas because I know first-hand the consequences they have.      I am pursuing my Pediatric Primary Care Doctor in Nursing Practice degree. I aim to provide care in underserved communities who may not have a healthcare provider or a psychiatrist. The financial support of the Ethel Hayes Destigmatization Mental Health Scholarship will allow me to take the additional course work in psychology and be able to reduce my work hours allowing me the time to volunteer on a crisis line. Gaining these experiences is imperative for me to fully serve the community I will be working in. By supporting one another we can create an environment that wi