This is Who We Are: Our Student Voices

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Eleasha Partner, DNP-FNP student
Creating care plans tailored to each patient

As a DNP-FNP student at the University of San Francisco, I have honed my critical analysis and appraising research skills. These skills have enabled me to avoid bias by identifying statistically significant trends and limitations. More importantly, they have empowered me to apply the appraised research to create a care plan tailored to my patient's demographics and population, ensuring the highest quality.

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Beatrice Salvador, BSN
Striving for Excellence

The University of San Francisco's School of Nursing and Health Professions is preparing me to be an impactful nurse by upholding the Jesuit university's mission statement of cura personalis, meaning "care of the whole person." As students, we are taught to care for our patients' minds, bodies, and spirits. USF's mission statement uniquely curates nurses with compassion, empathy, and love. We care for people holistically, not just their diagnosis. Furthermore, the professors and faculty have motivated me to strive for excellence in both academic and clinical settings.

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Christina Roby, MPH
Advocating for meaningful change

I am actively developing the skills to critically evaluate research and leverage data to tackle community health needs, with a strong emphasis on addressing women's health disparities. Through engaging lectures and discussions, I have confronted challenges like access to menstrual products head-on. The Evening of Evidence event provided a vital platform to collaborate with my peers in addressing equity issues in women's health, particularly those related to menstruation. Together, we are dedicated to promoting meaningful change.

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Erbin Abarado and Sima Sadaghiani, BSN McGrath Scholars
Leading dignified transformations

The McGrath Scholars Program, in collaboration with the Change The World From Here Institute, is driven by an unwavering commitment to supporting the most vulnerable populations. Scholars had the opportunity to work with nonprofit organizations, including Larkin Street Youth Services, City Hope, the Department of Homelessness and Housing, The HomeMore Project, and Open Door Legal. These organizations cultivate deep, lasting relationships that lead to dignified transformations and a brighter, more hopeful future.

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Ashley Cruz, ME MSN - Orange County GNA president
Becoming a transformative force in healthcare

Throughout my ME MSN program, I sharpened my nursing skills and prepared to become a transformative force in healthcare. The program’s focus on evidence-based practice, ethical decision-making, and leadership development prepared me to become a dedicated professional ready to make meaningful contributions. My hands-on training across diverse healthcare settings and collaboration with expert faculty have enriched my learning journey and empowered me to drive significant change and enhance patient outcomes.

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Catalina Do, BSPH
Translating knowledge into real-world impact.

My journey at USF SONHP has armed me with the tools to make a substantial impact in the field. My public health peers consistently inspire me, while my professors provide invaluable expertise on what it takes to be a committed public health professional. I am grateful for my public health advisor's unwavering support and mentorship, which empowers me to translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact through my internships and research projects.

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Kelsey Green MPH - DNP

I am genuinely grateful for my USF experience, which has deepened my understanding of my role as a health professional to "changing the world from here."

My journey at USF has enhanced my understanding of implementing preventive care practices and collaborating with community groups to create culturally competent approaches that uplift target populations. While conducting community participatory-based research, I learned to engage with community organizations and leaders in empowering ways that facilitate change. This perspective continues to shape my nursing practice today, guided by the school's vision to "change the world from here.”

The impactful mentorship and guidance of the MPH faculty through the SONHP have significantly helped me bridge the gap between my education and practice. Outstanding faculty members encouraged me to recognize my potential and consistently provided opportunities for my further development. As one of USF's 2023-2024 "This Is Public Health (TIPH)" student ambassadors by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), I collaborated with fellow public health students worldwide to create educational campaigns, which fostered my personal growth. This experience prompted me to think critically, combining my nursing background and passion for community health, and reinforced my belief in my ability to make a difference.

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Anthony Alvarado, Doctor in Nursing Practice - Health Systems Leadership/Education & Simulation (DNP HSL/Ed & Sim)
Empowered by a dynamic and cutting-edge educational experience

The DNP HSL emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership development, and hands-on experience, equipping me with the essential skills needed to thrive in today’s complex healthcare environment. As a DNP student in Education and Simulation, I engage with leaders to integrate this vital educational strategy into nursing education. With our partnership with the USF School of Education, I gain crucial insights for my role. I am a proud USF student and look forward to making a significant impact in the nursing field.

Julianna Sahoo, MPH Student and McGrath Graduate Fellow 
From Cambodia to Capitol Hill: Advocacy in Action

As a McGrath Graduate Fellow in fall 2024, the fellowship culminated in a visit to Washington, D.C., following weekly meetings during the fall semester, where we had the opportunity to meet with the office of Sen. Alex Padilla. There, we advocated for climate change migration, highlighting the urgent need for policy solutions to address the displacement of communities due to environmental factors. Sharing our experience in Cambodia to advocate for environmental justice was empowering. I was able to apply skills learned in my public health policy course and left the meeting even more motivated to pursue a lifelong commitment to advocacy. This meeting underscored the power of collective action and the importance of amplifying voices from areas most severely impacted by climate change, including those within the United States.