Being a second-generation Haitian immigrant and a first-generation college graduate are identities that have shaped me to understand the challenges that diverse and marginalized communities face. This experience was the catalyst that led me to pursue a nursing career and now a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. My goal in pursuing this career is to ensure that mental health is easily accessible and affordable, regardless of a person's socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, or beliefs. As I complete my last year of getting my advanced degree, I realize even more how great the need is for providers who belong to racially and culturally diverse communities to help address deep-rooted barriers and stigma regarding mental health. I am enhancing my knowledge and skills so that I can be prepared to educate racially and culturally diverse individuals on their mental health needs. Upon graduating, I plan to work in community mental health to serve those who belong to these populations as well as those who belong to marginalized and disenfranchised communities. My ultimate goal is to create a private mental health practice that addresses individual mental health needs that instills a communal approach and outlet. This will include free events highlighting and teaching how spoken word, art therapy, music therapy, dance, meditation, and prayer/worship positively impact and influence our mental health. These qualities are common identities in diverse communities, and I would like to uplift and celebrate them in my mental health practice.

Early in my life, I was motivated to pursue a healthcare career based on the adversity my family witnessed and experienced. I grew up as one of four children of Haitian immigrants in a diverse community of Miami, Florida. When I was 10 years old, my father was hospitalized after months of dealing with a chronic illness. While in the hospital, my siblings and I observed how our parents were treated during his treatment. Since they represent marginalized and underrepresented groups in healthcare, culturally tailored resources were not offered to my parents. First, with their native language not being English, the hospital failed to provide my mother with an interpreter of her language. Next, when it comes to end of life care, cultural practices were not considered, acknowledged, or discussed. Last, my mother shared that the nurses and doctors did not explain what was going on with my father and the prognosis of his condition. Although it has been over 30 years since my father's death, my family still recalls how they were treated and felt when accessing healthcare. This experience is not unique in Black communities, as this continues to be a reality when racially and culturally diverse communities access any form of healthcare. This experience was the catalyst that led me to pursue a nursing career and now a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. My goal in pursuing this degree is to ensure that mental health is easily accessible, racially and culturally sensitive, regardless of a person's socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, or beliefs. Being a second-generation Haitian immigrant and a first-generation college graduate are identities that have shaped me to understand the challenges that diverse and marginalized communities face. But it also shaped how I could support my family, friends, and communities with their health needs. So, when I became a nurse, I worked closely with educating individuals who belonged to disenfranchised and diverse communities with complex medical, social, and mental health needs. In my family, I translate any health-related concerns my family experience and assist my mother with her medical needs and care. Even among my friends, I became a healthcare liaison and would instruct them on how to navigate the medical system. Amongst local and international communities, I have volunteered with various impoverished and marginalized communities to promote health education and advocacy. After being a nurse for over 17 years, I decided to pursue a career to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. My goal in getting an advanced degree is to guide me to enhance evidence-based knowledge and skills to educate racially and culturally diverse communities on their mental health needs, improve community health outcomes, and change how people think about their mental health.

Early in my life, I was motivated to pursue a healthcare career based on the adversity my family witnessed and experienced. I grew up as one of four children of Haitian immigrants in a diverse community of Miami, Florida. When I was 10 years old, my father was hospitalized after months of dealing with a chronic illness. While in the hospital, my siblings and I observed how our parents were treated during his treatment. Since they represent marginalized and underrepresented groups in healthcare, culturally tailored resources were not offered to my parents. First, with their native language not being English, the hospital failed to provide my mother with an interpreter of her language. Next, when it comes to end of life care, cultural practices were not considered, acknowledged, or discussed. Last, my mother shared that the nurses and doctors did not explain what was going on with my father and the prognosis of his condition. Although it has been over 30 years since my father's death, my family still recalls how they were treated and felt when accessing healthcare. This experience is not unique in Black communities, as this continues to be a reality when racially and culturally diverse communities access any form of healthcare. This experience was the catalyst that led me to pursue a nursing career and now a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. My goal in pursuing this degree is to ensure that mental health is easily accessible, racially and culturally sensitive, regardless of a person's socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, or beliefs. Being a second-generation Haitian immigrant and a first-generation college graduate are identities that have shaped me to understand the challenges that diverse and marginalized communities face. But it also shaped how I could support my family, friends, and communities with their health needs. So, when I became a nurse, I worked closely with educating individuals who belonged to disenfranchised and diverse communities with complex medical, social, and mental health needs. In my family, I translate any health-related concerns my family experience and assist my mother with her medical needs and care. Even among my friends, I became a healthcare liaison and would instruct them on how to navigate the medical system. Amongst local and international communities, I have volunteered with various impoverished and marginalized communities to promote health education and advocacy. After being a nurse for over 17 years, I decided to pursue a career to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. My goal in getting an advanced nursing degree is to guide me to enhance evidence-based knowledge and skills to educate racially and culturally diverse communities on their mental health needs, improve community health outcomes, and change how people think about their mental health.

Early in my life, I was motivated to pursue a healthcare career based on the adversity my family witnessed and experienced. I grew up as one of four children of Haitian immigrants in a diverse community of Miami, Florida. When I was 10 years old, my father was hospitalized after months of dealing with a chronic illness. While in the hospital, my siblings and I observed how our parents were treated during his treatment. Since they represent marginalized and underrepresented groups in healthcare, culturally tailored resources were not offered to my parents. First, with their native language not being English, the hospital failed to provide my mother with an interpreter of her language. Next, when it comes to end of life care, cultural practices were not considered, acknowledged, or discussed. Last, my mother shared that the nurses and doctors did not explain what was going on with my father and the prognosis of his condition. Although it has been over 30 years since my father's death, my family still recalls how they were treated and felt when accessing healthcare. This experience is not unique in Black communities, as this continues to be a reality when racially and culturally diverse communities access any form of healthcare. This experience was the catalyst that led me to pursue a nursing career and now a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. My goal in pursuing this degree is to ensure that mental health is easily accessible, racially and culturally sensitive, regardless of a person's socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, or beliefs. Being a second-generation Haitian immigrant and a first-generation college graduate are identities that have shaped me to understand the challenges that diverse and marginalized communities face. But it also shaped how I could support my family, friends, and communities with their health needs. So, when I became a nurse, I worked closely with educating individuals who belonged to disenfranchised and diverse communities with complex medical, social, and mental health needs. In my family, I translate any health-related concerns my family experience and assist my mother with her medical needs and care. Even among my friends, I became a healthcare liaison and would instruct them on how to navigate the medical system. Amongst local and international communities, I have volunteered with various impoverished and marginalized communities to promote health education and advocacy. After being a nurse for over 17 years, I decided to pursue a career to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. My goal in getting an advanced degree is to guide me to enhance evidence-based knowledge and skills to educate racially and culturally diverse communities on their mental health needs, improve community health outcomes, and change how people think about their mental health.

I grew up in Miami, Florida as one of four children of Haitian immigrants living in a diverse community. When I was 10 years old, my father became severely ill and unfortunately died as a result of his illness. Prior to his death, my family observed how my father was treated during his time in the hospital. There was no interpreter who spoke Haitian Creole nor did the health care team understand some of the cultural practices or beliefs when it comes to death and dying. My mother spoke minimal English and I remember how she was unable to understand what was happening to him because there was limited information being shared to her about his condition. This personal experience in healthcare led to my family having distrust and fear of healthcare. For a long time, they were hesitant to go to the hospital because they felt like their medical concerns were not going to be properly addressed. So as I was considering a career I saw that there was a calling for me to become a nurse so that I can be a patient care advocate for those who belong to diverse or marginalized communities. My journey to becoming a nurse helped me to realize that there is a need for more diverse providers and practitioners in the health care system. When I became a nurse, I realize that have the opportunity to not only impact lives but be part of changing the way that care is delivered. I have been a nurse for 16 years and in every role that I have been part of, I have witnessed the challenges that people face and the barriers that limit their access to getting overall quality care. There is a growing need to continue to be a patient advocate for those who are being marginalized due to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and cultural background. As a future mental health leader, I am called to shed light on the stigmas that impact these communities, acknowledge the needs when it comes to mental health, address deep-rooted barriers and biases, and guide people to reach their optimal mental health. Since communities are more diverse and complex in their mental health needs, the demand for diverse Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) to help improve communities will be profound. My pursuit in becoming a PMHNP is in direct response to this and wanting to see improvement in access and opportunities for those who have been marginalized by the mental health care system. My hope is that I can help lead a change in the way mental health care is delivered and to ensure that all groups (regardless of who they are) can see their mental health needs effectively met.

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida as a first-generation Haitian immigrant. My upbringing has helped me to understand the challenges that diverse and marginalized communities face. Being the oldest daughter in my family, there was an unspoken rule for me to be like a second mother and leader for the rest of the family. So, when I became a nurse, any health-related concerns my family experienced, I would be the one to help to translate medical jargon, assist my mother with her medical concerns and support any other family members to seek the right type of care. One of the most difficult moments in my life that really speared me to be a nurse was experiencing at 10 years old, the passing of my father in a hospital. During his hospital stay, my mother felt like there was no translation provided or consideration of her cultural needs. So for a long time, my family did not want to go to a hospital because of these experiences. This experience and many others, led me down the path to become a nurse and care advocate for those amongst diverse background. As a nurse for 16 years, I have been fortunate enough to have formal leadership experiences in various roles throughout my career. I’ve worked as a charge nurse in a medical-surgical unit, admission/discharge nurse and patient care supervisor. I have also held roles as a virtual care nurse, nurse care manager and health educator. In these roles, I worked closely with individuals who belonged to disenfranchised and diverse communities and that had complex medical, social, and mental health needs. As a future mental health leader, I am called to shed light on the stigmas that impact these communities, acknowledge the needs when it comes to mental health, address deep-rooted barriers and biases, and guide people to reach their optimal mental health. This scholarship will go towards me gaining the evidence-based knowledge and skills to educate individuals on their mental health needs, improve community health outcomes, and change the way mental health care is managed in diverse communities. My career goal is that mental health care will be easily accessible, racially, and culturally sensitive regardless of a person’s socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, or beliefs. In my life and professional experiences, I have held various leadership roles that help guide my passion. Since communities are more diverse and complex in their mental health needs, the demand for diverse Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) to help improve communities will be profound. My pursuit in becoming a PMHNP is in direct response to this and wanting to see improvement in access and opportunities for those who have been marginalized by the mental health care system. My hope is that I can help lead a change in the way mental health care is delivered and to ensure that all groups (regardless of who they are) can see their mental health needs effectively met.

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida as a first-generation Haitian American immigrant. Living in Miami help to expose me to individuals with all types of culture and racial background. But also my upbringing helped me to understand the challenges that many diverse and marginalized communities face on a regular basis. Being the oldest daughter in my family, there was also an unspoken rule for me to be like a second mother and leader for the rest of the family. So, when I became a nurse, any health-related concerns my family experienced, I would be the one to help to translate medical jargon, assist my mother with her medical concerns and support any other family members to seek the right type of care. Even among my friends, I became a health care liaison and would instruct them on how to navigate the health care system. In the community, on my off days, I volunteered with various community groups to promote health education and advocacy. These experiences helped to motivate me in the direction to pursue a career in mental health care. But also these experiences helped me to understand why my mental health care needs to be easily accessible, racially, and culturally sensitive regardless of a person’s socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, or beliefs. As a nurse for 16 years, I’ve worked as a charge nurse in a medical-surgical unit, admission/discharge nurse and patient care supervisor. I have also held various roles as a virtual care nurse, nurse care manager and health educator. In these roles, I worked closely with individuals who belonged to disenfranchised and diverse communities and that had complex medical, social, and mental health needs. Since communities are becoming more diverse and complex in their mental health needs, the demand for diverse Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) to help improve communities will be profound. My pursuit in becoming a PMHNP is in direct response to this and wanting to see improvement in access and opportunities for those who have been marginalized by the mental health care system. For many reasons, I believe that becoming a future mental health leader will have a positive impact on the world. I will be able to gain evidence-based knowledge and skills that will not only educate individuals on their mental health needs, but also improve community health outcomes and change the way mental health care is managed in diverse communities.

Growing up in Miami, Florida as one of four children of Haitian immigrants, one of the first experiences that impacted my mental health was losing my father at the age of 10 years old. As I grew older, I realize that I never received the tools to help me to process this loss, never had someone talk to me about grief, and never saw my family (especially my mother) get the bereavement support she needed. Though there was also a lot of uncertainties surrounding my father’s death, it made me realize that the healthcare system did not provide resources that would support my family during this time. But also there was nothing available in the community for her to access. This experience ultimately led me to being an advocate by becoming a nurse and to now pursue my doctoral degree in psychiatric mental health nursing. I’ve seen in my personal and professional experiences, that there are various barriers that impact people (especially among those who are the most marginalized) from accessing mental health support appropriately. My utopian vision is that mental health care will be easily accessible and racially and culturally appropriate for those within the black community. I believe that this is possible by developing a program that will consist of providing a collaborative mental health care team within the local clinics and community centers. This will address mental health in the black community by providing the opportunity for mental health care to be easily accessible and efficient. The other half of this vision is to develop a phone app that can provide virtual mental health education, support, and care. This will be a replication of the in-person but the difference is that mental health care will be provided in real-time. For this to happen, I would partner with black community advocates to discuss their concerns when it comes to mental health needs and access issues. This will help me to properly identify the mental health concerns that the community members are experiencing, provide the opportunity for it to be addressed, and will help me to gain the support that I need. Second, I would partner with local mental health professionals to get a better understanding of what they have seen as the needs and barriers when it comes people accessing mental health care support. Having these two partnerships will provide me the knowledge that I need to develop the program that will be implemented by the collaborative mental health team. Since this will be a team that will consists of mental health professionals but also community advocates, it will be evidence based and culturally appropriate. Secondly, the app will be an extension to the in-person services and ensure that people don’t experience any gaps to access to care. Overall, I have learned the importance of being an advocate if I want to see true and long term change. My personal and professional experiences have helped me to get a better understanding of the importance of being a voice for an individual, a family, and the community. Being a mental health care advocate means that I am committed to providing the appropriate tools and resources, it will de-stigmatized people who have a mental health condition and will address other challenges that people may face because they have not dealt with their mental health challenges. Furthermore, my vision and personal advocacy goals will help to improve access of mental health services regardless of someone’s socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, or beliefs. We can truly tackle mental health needs in the community that is most deserving and in need of this.