My name is Kristy Fuentes, and I am a 43-year-old mother who has spent many years caring for my family, supporting my children, and learning the value of service, patience, and commitment. For 13 years, I was deeply involved in my sons’ baseball careers as a proud “baseball mom.” I volunteered with their teams, helped organize activities, and supported them through practices, games, and tournaments. Baseball became a major part of our family life, and through those years I developed a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork, and compassion for others. Watching my children grow through sports and seeing the many people who supported them along the way helped shape my desire to enter the healthcare field. What led me to healthcare administration is my passion for helping others in a meaningful and organized way. I have always admired the people who work behind the scenes to make sure patients receive the care they need and that healthcare professionals have the support to do their jobs well. I want to work in a hospital setting where I can help organize departments, support doctors and staff, and contribute to a system that improves patient care. I believe that healthcare administration is an important field because strong leadership and organization can make a real difference in the quality of care people receive. I plan to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs by helping create environments where they are treated with dignity, respect, and understanding. Every person deserves access to quality care and support, especially those who may need additional assistance. In a healthcare setting, I want to advocate for systems that are compassionate, efficient, and inclusive. Whether that means improving communication, helping families navigate services, or making sure departments are better prepared to meet individual needs, I want my work to have a positive impact on patients and their families. My volunteer experiences have taught me many valuable lessons. One of the most important things I have learned is that every person’s journey is different, and everyone deserves patience and kindness. Volunteering has shown me the importance of being dependable, listening carefully, and stepping in wherever help is needed. It has also taught me that service is not always about doing something big; often, it is the smaller acts of support, encouragement, and consistency that matter most. These experiences have strengthened my desire to work in a field where I can continue helping others and contributing to something greater than myself. Yes, I do have financial need. As an adult learner pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, I am working hard to balance school, family responsibilities, and future career goals. Returning to school at this stage in my life is very important to me, but it also comes with financial challenges. Assistance would help ease that burden and allow me to stay focused on my education and career path. Earning this degree will give me the opportunity to build a better future for myself and my family while also allowing me to serve others in a meaningful way.

My name is Kristy Fuentes, and I am a 43-year-old mother who has spent much of her life supporting my family and building experiences that shaped who I am today. For 13 years, I proudly lived the life of a “baseball mom.” During that time, baseball was more than just a sport in our household. It became a major part of our everyday lives, teaching us commitment, teamwork, discipline, and resilience. I did not just sit in the stands and watch. I volunteered often and took on leadership roles with my sons’ teams, helping wherever I was needed. From organizing team activities to supporting the players and families, I was fully involved and truly lived and breathed baseball. Both of my sons had long baseball journeys that made me very proud. My older son played all the way through the college level, while my younger son played through high school. Because they both played on multiple teams, our family spent many years traveling to practices, games, tournaments, and events in many different places. Those years were busy, exciting, and sometimes exhausting, but they created memories that I will always treasure. Being so involved in their athletic lives also gave me a deep appreciation for sports medicine, healthcare, and the many professionals who help athletes stay healthy and recover from injuries. It has been exciting to watch both of my sons begin planning careers in healthcare. My older son is currently studying to become a Physician Assistant and is especially interested in orthopedics, with a focus on sports-related injuries. My younger son just started college and wants to become a physical therapist. Seeing both of them pursue careers that center on helping others has inspired me even more in my own educational journey. I am currently studying to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration. My goal is to work in a hospital setting, where I can help support doctors, staff, and departments through strong organization and leadership. I am interested in the behind-the-scenes work that keeps healthcare systems running smoothly. I want to be in a position where I can assist with coordinating operations, improving efficiency, and helping create an environment where both healthcare professionals and patients can have the best possible experience. I believe that effective administration is a vital part of quality patient care, and I would like to contribute in that way. At this stage in my life, returning to school is both a personal and professional achievement. I am proud to continue growing, learning, and working toward a career that will allow me to make a difference in healthcare. My years as a baseball mom taught me how to multitask, stay organized, lead under pressure, and support others, all of which I know will help me succeed in this field. I am excited for this next chapter and look forward to learning more as I move closer to my goals.