The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) awarded a total of $40,000 to eight NAHN student members enrolled in a baccalaureate or graduate nursing program at its recent 2011 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each student received a $5,000 Scholarship.
The United Health Foundation National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships, funded by a grant from United Health Foundation, aim to increase the number of qualified, bilingual/bicultural Hispanic/Latino student nurses. As the Hispanic population increases in the United States, the need for bilingual/bicultural Hispanic nurses rises. Of the more than 3 million registered nurses in the United States, only about 3.6 percent are Hispanic.
The following students were selected based on their outstanding academic achievements and commitment to the Hispanic community:
- Maria Beltran, RN of New York;
- Luz Marina Bradberry, BSN, RN of Arizona;
- Lorraine Cuesta, MS, RN, ANP of Arizona;
- Josephine Foley, BSN, RN, CCM, of Michigan;
- Alessandra Gonzales of Texas;
- Amy Hardy of Oregon;
- Paulette Lizarraga of Arizona; and
- David Sanchez, RN of California.
"We had a very strong group of students this year, four of whom are pursuing their Masters or Doctorate degrees in Nursing. These nurses will help expand the number of culturally competent Advance-Practice Nurses serving our diverse population," said NAHN President Angie Millan, RN, MSN, NP, CNS.
"With these scholarships, United Health Foundation is helping to address disparities in the nursing field to ensure that everyone, including diverse communities, has access to quality, culturally competent care. Partnering with a respected organization such as the National Association of Hispanic Nurses to create these scholarships is an effective way to help foster a more diverse health care workforce," said Kate Rubin, President, United Health Foundation.
About the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) is actively involved in issues affecting Hispanic nurses and the health of Hispanic communities on local, state, regional and national levels. The organization is committed to work toward providing equal access to education, professional and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses and to improving the health and nursing care for Hispanic consumers.
United Health Foundation
Guided by a passion to help people
live healthier lives, United Health Foundation provides helpful
information to support decisions that lead to better health outcomes and
healthier communities. The Foundation also supports activities that
expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging
circumstances and partners with others to improve the well-being of
communities. Since established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999
as a not-for-profit, private foundation, the Foundation has committed
more than $187 million to improve health and health care. For more
information, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
Contacts:
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
Celia Besore, MBA,
CAE, 202-387-2477
Executive Director/CEO
director@thehispanicnurses.org,
www.hispanicnurses.org
www.nahnnet.org