Bio: I began my journey to becoming a nurse practitioner by working as a nurse tech in a pediatric intensive care unit. At that time, I was fascinated by the science and medicine we used to care for the sickest children. I became motivated to learn more, pursing my masters degree and obtaining a job as a pediatric nurse practitioner. I have been working in pediatric health care and more specifically surgery for more than 10 years, and I am constantly learning something new. While this field has many challenges and sad days, seeing kids get better remains the greatest motivator of all.
When they attended their healthcare program: 5-10 years ago
Current field of practice: Pediatrics
City of origin: Cleveland, Ohio
School they attended for their healthcare program: Case Western Reserve University
Undergraduate major: Nursing
Why they became a mentor: The data is very clear that a diverse workforce leads to better patient health outcomes and overall well being. This has been demonstrated time and time again in the research. While I worked hard, I also had many elements of ‘good luck’ and often privilege that helped open doors and lead me on the right path. I had many opportunities based on my connections, and I can’t imagine how much harder it would have been to achieve my degree without those connections. This motivates me to give back and help others. The medical field is challenging but rewarding. We need to mentor and train a new generation to care for others.