INTRODUCING The Health Equity Academy Scholars Cohort 1

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1 INTRODUCING The Health Equity Academy Scholars Cohort 1 (From l r) Nicole Forlan, Wendlassida Tapsoba, Jasmine Alexis, Jennifer Hinkle, Barbara Neto, Courtney Ramsey, Quenisha Greenleaf, Shacora Rorie, Nikkisha Faulcon Join the Health Equity Academy (HEA) in welcoming our first cohort! These nine Scholars will be on campus participating in the Pre-entry Immersion in Nursing (PIN) program from June 7 July 18, During this six-week experience, Scholars will live on campus and work with Duke faculty, advisors and mentors to develop an enhanced understanding of social determinants of health by exploring health access, health disparities, and health equity. The summer program will include: N359 Professional Nursing: Past, Present and Future Pathophysiology Case Studies/Guided Reading Social Determinants of Health and Community Assessment Project Socialization to Nursing Weekly Seminars Mentored Shadow Experiences Teambuilding and Leadership Development Seminars and much, MUCH more... HOLD THE DATE: HEA Scholar Presentations will be held on July 17, 2014 at 12:30pm in the Duke University School of Nursing s Pearson Building The Health Equity Academy (HEA) is a federally-funded nursing workforce diversity project committed to the development of minority nurse leaders with an understanding of and commitment to addressing the relationship between social determinants of health, health access, health disparities and health equity. HEA scholars are high-achieving / high-potential students who are from groups underrepresented in nursing and economically disadvantaged circumstances. For more information contact: Julie Cusatis, HEA Program Coordinator, (919) , [email protected]

2 Jasmine Alexis was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor s degree in Health Education and Behavior and a minor in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. She is participating in the Health Equity Academy because she wants to learn more about how nurses and other health professionals can collaborate with community leaders and local community organizations in order to address the social obstacles that affect the health status of underserved communities. She believes that Health Equity Academy will present opportunities for her to build a foundation for her future in the nursing profession. Her goal is to become a Family Nurse Practitioner that specializes in Community and/or Public Health so that she can provide quality health care and comprehensive disease prevention education to underserved communities. Nikkisha Faulcon hails from Sacramento, CA and graduated from the University of California, at Berkeley with a Bachelors of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis in Education and Social Change. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a laboratory assistant at the USDA Plant Gene Expression Center in Albany, CA, served as a Toddler Speech Therapy Program intern at Alta Bates Hospital in Oakland, CA, and volunteered in several tutoring programs throughout the Bay Area. After graduation, she had stints teaching middle school in Harlem, NY and working as an international charter airline flight attendant. Nikkisha is eager to pay her rent in life by serving others as a nurse, focusing her efforts in under-served communities. Though currently unsure of her exact career trajectory, she hopes to develop a deeper understanding of the various nurse roles available, especially nurse educator, community health advocate, and public health nurse. Nicole Forlan is from Long Beach, CA. She graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelors of Science in Bio-Psychology. During her undergraduate career, Nicole volunteered at numerous medical facilities and gained insights into the rewarding career of nursing. She is passionate and committed to changing lives and knows that becoming a nurse will pave the way to accomplish these aspirations. She is beyond ecstatic about the life changing journey ahead as a HEA Scholar and Duke nursing student. Ultimately, she would like to pursue a doctoral level nursing degree in order to implement proper educational practices and focus on maternal, neonatal and/or child health care in areas lacking access to quality healthcare.

3 Quenisha Greenleaf is from Tunica, Mississippi, a small town that until the early 1990s was one of the most impoverished places in the United States. Today, Tunica lies on the fringe of a growing gambling resort area and has become one of the richest. Quenisha graduated from the Mississippi School of Mathematics & Science a residential high school for the academically gifted. She is currently a junior at Jackson State University majoring in Biology, a Dean's List Scholar, and also a member of Alpha Lamda Delta Honor Society. She has a beautiful five month old daughter named Brialyn. Quenisha is participating in the Health Equity Academy to expend her knowledge and insights about careers in nursing and strives to pursue her dream of entering nursing school after graduation in order to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Jennifer Hinkle was born and raised in a small, rural town near Portland, OR. She attended Portland State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, focusing on childhood psychology and development. While in school, Jennifer held multiple volunteer positions at Doernbecher Children's Hospital at Oregon Health and Sciences University. These positions included the Acute Care Unit, the Hematology/Oncology Unit, and the Emergency Department. Jennifer's interest in nursing stems from her passion for health and the human body and her desire to influence patients' lives during their time of need. Ultimately, she is striving to become a pediatric nurse practitioner in order to combine these interests with childhood psychology and development. Barbara Neto was born in Portugal and raised in Massachusetts. She recently earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Norwich University in Vermont. She developed an interest in improving health equity and the access to quality care to underserved communities as a volunteer at a rural health clinic for the uninsured. As a Health Equity Academy Scholar, Barbara hopes to learn about the social determinants of health and how to utilize and leverage community resources to provide care, address challenges, and reduce health disparities in underserved populations. Barbara aspires to advanced degrees in nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner followed by a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in order to help build healthy communities and serve as an educator committed to strengthening the nursing workforce.

4 Courtney Alexandria Ramsey is a native of Greenwood, Mississippi and recently graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology. Her passion for healthcare and nursing emerged during her undergraduate career when she had bountiful opportunities to shadow practitioners in a variety of settings: Urology and Cardio at the Mayo Medical Clinic, Emergency Room at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and the Jackson Free Clinic. Courtney is committed to improving the quality and access to health care for vulnerable people in Mississippi through education, health promotion and health prevention. She aspires to become a Nurse Practitioner and Community Health Advocate that works closely with children. Wendlassida Tapsoba was born and raised in Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa. Fluent in 4 languages (French, Moore, Bambara and English), she learned English when she was sponsored to come to the USA to obtain a bachelor's degree in International Studies/NGOs management from University of Nebraska in Omaha. She later continued her education and earned a master's degree from the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Delaware. Fueled by the concern that many people are dying despite the fact that most diseases in the developing world are preventable and curable; Wendy will be entering DUSON s ABSN in the Fall 2014 in order to become a nurse that will make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. Ultimately, Wendy plans to become a DNP and help break the cycle of poverty and ignorance by teaching people new skills and helping individuals and communities to solve health problems. Shacora Rorie was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina and will be entering her junior year as a Biology major at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC. She is the first member of her family to attend college. She has received accolades including the Dean s Honor List and the Outstanding Biology Award for academic achievement, and is currently involved in an array of activities including traveling and singing with the Belles of Harmony gospel choir, and serving as a big sister by mentoring under classman. She is passionate about mentoring because of the rewards that come from teaching and helping new students and supporting their success and achievement. When not in school, Shacora works at a nursing home assisting residents with dinner service and activities. Shacora is very excited and grateful for the opportunity to participate in HEA s Pre-entry Immersion in Nursing (PIN) program.

5 The Health Equity Academy Developing Future Nurse Leaders Committed to Health Care for ALL People The Health Equity Academy (HEA) for Academic and Social Enrichment and Leadership Development is funded by the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services under grant number D19HP For more information Visit: nursing.duke.edu Phonel: (919)