My inspiration to study nursing comes from two pivotal life experiences that revealed both the healing power of compassionate care and the lasting harm caused when dignity and equity are absent. These moments shaped not only my decision to pursue nursing, but also the kind of nurse I strive to become—one who upholds high standards, leads with empathy, and serves their community with intention, much like Maureen C. Pace did throughout her career. In 2014, at nineteen years old and a sophomore at the University of Central Oklahoma, I was diagnosed with stage III papillary thyroid carcinoma. Over the span of four months, I underwent one inpatient surgery, two outpatient surgeries, and later two rounds of radioactive iodine treatment. Despite the physical and emotional toll, I continued my education without interruption. What sustained me during this time was the unwavering support of my healthcare team, particularly the nurses who cared for me. They provided not only clinical expertise, but reassurance, presence, and a sense of safety during the most uncertain moments of my life. Even eleven years later, as I continue routine follow-ups, the impact of that care remains with me. Experiencing healthcare as a patient taught me what exceptional nursing truly looks like and inspired my desire to provide that same level of compassionate care to others. Equally formative was a painful experience I encountered as a teenager. At fifteen, while living in rural Oklahoma, I sought routine medical testing at a local health department and was met with biased and discriminatory treatment due to my differences. In a moment of vulnerability, I felt powerless to speak up for fear of retaliation. That experience fractured my trust in the healthcare system and made future medical visits deeply distressing. It took years to feel safe seeking care again. This experience solidified my belief that nursing is not only a clinical profession, but a moral one. As a future nurse, I am committed to ensuring that every patient—regardless of identity or background—feels respected, safe, and heard. Before pursuing nursing, I built a successful career in Broadway theatrical management in New York City. However, living in NYC, witnessing community health disparities firsthand, finding my sobriety, and longing for more meaningful day-to-day impact led me to change course. I am honored to have been accepted into Columbia University’s Master of Science in Nursing program, which will prepare me to serve the diverse communities of New York with skill, compassion, and leadership. Through my nursing career, I hope to provide patient-centered care that blends empathy with innovation and advocacy—values exemplified by Maureen C. Pace. I am inspired by her dedication to improving patient care, elevating hospital standards, and serving her community beyond the bedside. As an active volunteer with Gay for Good in Greenwich Village, I currently serve underrepresented populations through community initiatives. As a nurse, I plan to expand this commitment by advocating for inclusive healthcare practices, supporting vulnerable patients through education and access, and contributing to innovative approaches that enhance holistic healing. By carrying forward Maureen’s passion for service, leadership, and compassion, I hope to be a steady presence for patients in their most vulnerable moments—just as nurses once were for me. Supporting patients, strengthening communities, and advancing the profession of nursing will define my career and honor the legacy this scholarship represents.

My interest in pursuing a career in nursing stems from two formative life experiences that revealed how my empathy, resilience, and commitment to equity align with patient-centered healthcare. In 2014, while I was a sophomore at the University of Central Oklahoma, I discovered a lump in my neck and was diagnosed with stage III papillary thyroid carcinoma at the age of nineteen. Over the following months, I underwent multiple surgeries and radioactive iodine treatment, all while continuing my education without interruption. More than a decade later, I still attend routine follow-up appointments, and healthcare remains a consistent presence in my life. Throughout my cancer journey, my care team provided not only medical treatment, but reassurance, stability, and compassion during moments of deep uncertainty. Experiencing healthcare as a patient taught me the power of empathetic communication, consistency, and trust—qualities that inspired me to pursue nursing and provide that same sense of safety for others. Equally impactful was an experience that exposed me to the consequences of bias in healthcare. At fifteen, while living in rural Oklahoma as a member of an underrepresented community, I sought routine testing at a local health department. Instead of receiving unbiased care, I experienced discriminatory treatment from staff. In a vulnerable position, I did not feel safe speaking up for fear of retaliation. That encounter left a lasting emotional impact and created years of anxiety around medical visits. It also shaped my understanding of how essential it is for healthcare professionals—especially nurses—to foster environments rooted in dignity, respect, and inclusivity. No one should feel unsafe or devalued when seeking care. Professionally, I have spent many years building a successful career in Broadway theatrical management in New York City. While fulfilling, this work eventually led me to reflect on how I wanted to contribute more directly to people’s lives. Living in NYC, witnessing community health disparities, finding my sobriety, and volunteering with Gay for Good in Greenwich Village reinforced my desire to serve others in a more hands-on, meaningful way. My background in theatrical management strengthened my ability to remain calm under pressure, work collaboratively across teams, and advocate effectively—skills that directly translate to nursing practice. I am proud to have been accepted into Columbia University’s Master of Science program to become a registered nurse. This next step will allow me to serve the diverse communities of New York City that have welcomed and supported me. As a nurse, I will bring empathy shaped by lived experience, advocacy informed by injustice, and a commitment to equitable, compassionate care. Supporting patients during their most vulnerable moments is both a responsibility and a purpose—one that I believe will make a lasting difference in their lives, as well as my own.

Growing up in rural Oklahoma, I learned early what it meant to be different. In a community where anyone outside the cisgender, white, heterosexual norm was met with bias, I navigated life as a queer man facing opposition from my family and church—institutions that preached love but withheld it from those like me. Those experiences forged my resilience and persistence, qualities that continue to drive my pursuit of advanced education. Despite limited familial expectations for higher education, I set my own goals early. While my parents focused on sending me to conversion counseling, I focused on academic excellence, graduating as my high school’s valedictorian and pursuing college. I found belonging in the theatre community, a space that celebrated difference rather than suppressing it. Through managerial roles in theatre, I discovered fulfillment in supporting others—ensuring performers and creatives felt safe, prepared, and empowered to succeed. This early passion for service laid the foundation for my future aspirations. At nineteen, my path was abruptly challenged by a diagnosis of stage III papillary thyroid carcinoma. Over the course of four months, I underwent multiple surgeries and radioactive iodine treatments, all while continuing my education. Hospital visits became a regular part of my life and remain so more than a decade later. Surviving cancer at such a formative age fundamentally reshaped my perspective, strengthening my resolve and deepening my empathy for those facing illness and uncertainty. After completing my undergraduate degree, I achieved professional success managing Broadway productions and national tours. New York City became my home—a place where I felt fully seen. Yet, as my career flourished, my vision for my life’s legacy began to shift. In 2023, I made the life-changing decision to become sober. With renewed mental clarity, I recognized a calling rooted in care. I wanted to be present with people in their most vulnerable moments, offering the compassion and stability I once sought myself. In 2024, I committed to pursuing a career in nursing. Becoming a registered nurse will allow me to work directly with individuals experiencing suffering, particularly those from underrepresented communities. My lived experiences—as a queer individual, a cancer survivor, and someone who has navigated recovery—equip me with empathy that cannot be taught in a classroom. Nursing offers me the opportunity to transform hardship into healing and service. My acceptance into Columbia University marks a pivotal step toward this goal. Advanced education will prepare me to provide skilled, compassionate care in New York City and beyond. This scholarship would be transformative, easing the financial burden of an intensive career transition and allowing me to fully focus on learning, clinical training, and professional growth. With financial support, I can devote myself wholeheartedly to becoming the kind of nurse patients trust and rely on. I measure success by service and impact. My goal is to be remembered as a nurse who showed up for patients—physically, emotionally, and mentally—during their most vulnerable moments. This scholarship would not only support my education, but also help ensure that my commitment to care, advocacy, and resilience reaches those who need it most.