The Wayne State University College of Nursing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee awarded annual scholarships to students driven to lead research and provide high quality care for vulnerable patient populations. 

“The purpose of the scholarship is to increase awareness and interest in diversity related topics of significance to the nursing profession and to provide support for students who plan to practice in underserved areas,” said Chair of the College of Nursing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Clinical Assistant Professor Julia Farner, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, HHP. 

The scholarships are funded by the Michigan Board of Nursing and provides various award amounts to students each year who display a desire to bridge health disparities through their nursing education. Students must be permanent residents of Michigan and a College of Nursing student on the path to graduation.  

The application for the College of Nursing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) scholarship award requires students to choose one health disparity they have a passion to address in their careers. In a written essay, students must discuss their chosen health disparity and recommendations they could make as a nurse to improve the quality of care in that community. Students must be able to present their desire to research and study their chosen disparity with the intention of working in that underserved community upon graduation. 

“It was truly an honor and privilege to read the students’ essays. We are surrounded by remarkable and diverse learners,” said Clinical Assistant Professor Nicole Wheeler, DNP, CNM.  

This year’s scholarship recipients are: 

Rebecca Harris – BSN Second Career/Degree (CD2) student

Disparity of focus: Health care access and education in relation to women of color. 

“Current research shows that women of color are three times more likely to die from a preventable disease or outcome than Caucasian women. This is a frightening realization, being a woman of color myself. I feel that culturally women of color have a different relationship to health care than our Caucasian counterparts. I believe increased awareness and education can lower the mortality rate,” Harris said. 

Harris plans to pursue career opportunities for serving minority women through her professional networking and clinical experiences at the College of Nursing. She also hopes to gain volunteer opportunities throughout metro Detroit. She said the DEI scholarship will support these efforts to remain involved in the community. “It has been a blessing,” she said. With support from the scholarship she can focus more on her studies rather than finances. “It has been challenging completing the nursing program, and the generosity of the donors will help me get closer to reaching my goals.” 

Her post-graduation plans include working in an ER or an outpatient clinic in metro Detroit and returning to the College of Nursing to pursue her DNP. 

Tasfia Tonmi – Traditional BSN student

Disparity of focus: Health inequities in underserved communities, particularly in maternal and children’s health.  

“I have observed how underserved populations do not have access to all forms of quality treatment owing to a lack of resources and financial support, as well as how important maternal and child healthcare is and how terrible it can be when it is not available. I believe that by striving to close these gaps, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of entire communities,” Tonmi said.  

While in the BSN program, Tonmi plans to display her passion for addressing gaps in health care through offering compassionate and culturally competent care for patients at her clinics. She also plans to serve as an advocate for patients, not only with bedside care, but connecting them with services and resources they need to achieve better health outcomes.   

“Receiving this award means so much to me. It is not only an honor, but it also confirms my dedication to reducing health care disparities. It serves as a reminder that the work I am passionate about is vital and it inspires me to strive even harder to achieve my goals,” Tonmi said.  

Her post-graduation plans include pursuing a master's degree in nursing and integrating hands-on nursing experience in a public health strategy to address health care disparities.  

 

Rachel Anyu Gyesbour – DNP student

Disparity of focus: Low-income adults with mental health conditions. 

“Depression and other mental health issues have been on the ascendancy, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a passion for listening and taking care of the vulnerable in low-income communities," Gyesbour said.

While completing her DNP at the WSU College of Nursing, Gyesbour is working toward becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to focus on addressing the needs of older adults with illnesses such as depression and dementia. She said providing specialized care that assists with the psychological changes within the patients’ lives is a necessary step that healthcare professionals should take, which motivates her toward a career treating vulnerable adults when they need support for psychiatric assessment, triage and crisis intervention.  

“By being the Nurse Practitioner who listens to her patients and offer the help that they will need precisely in their mental health; be it depression, anxiety, PTSD or any other mental and physical health issues that they may need,” said Gyesbour. The DEI scholarship will support Gyesbour on her journey to complete research in the field and support her career serving at-risk older adults. 

“The scholarship means a whole lot to me. It encourages me to work harder, be more passionate and give my absolute best in all that I do,” Gyesbour said.  Her post-graduation plans include working with older adults and providing them with the care and treatment they need to live longer, healthier lives.  

Melanie Hampton – DNP student  

Disparity of focus: Pain management among underserved and vulnerable communities.  

“While I am interested in many health care disparities, I plan to focus my career on pain management among underserved and vulnerable communities. This is something I not only find interesting, but feel that I can make a real difference in. The opioid epidemic in this country is well known and I want to help combat it,” Hampton said. 

While completing her DNP at the WSU College of Nursing, Hampton plans to research pain management in Michigan. Her research will further assess the impact of state laws and how to make recommendations for state legislation to better care for at-risk communities facing opioid addiction. “I do not want to wait until I graduate, so while I am still studying, I am incorporating this interest into my work,” said Hampton.

“My DNP project will be a policy analysis of the state’s laws that require prescribing Narcan alongside any opioids.” She said the DEI scholarship affirms how much support she receives from the College of Nursing for her research. “Receiving this award means a lot to me,” said Hampton. “It demonstrates just how much Wayne State cares and is dedicated to its mission to help underserved communities. Wayne State is taking action to better our communities, reinforcing one of the primary reasons I chose to attend here.” 

Her post-graduation plans include working for an organization like the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement new best practice research regarding pain management and serve vulnerable communities with the best care possible.   

Annika Bajema – DNP student  

Disparity of focus: Anxiety and depression in low-income women. 

“Low-income women experience anxiety and depression at some of the highest rates, so targeting this specific population has the potential to make a big impact. Also, I love that educating and empowering women often directly impacts children and families as women are such a central part of a household,” said Bajema. 

Bajema has seen the impact of serving this community when she worked with a Women Supporting Women program that conducted focus groups in low-income neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, which found a need for mental health education and support groups. The community-based participatory research experience as their research assistant motivates her to continue showing up in the communities that need support. The focus of her DNP project is also conducting research and implementing programs into clinics to educate women on anxiety and depression. “Reminding women they are not alone in their mental health journeys and helping them grow can lead to the transformation of communities,” Bajema said. “I am excited to continue to integrate education and empowerment with my patients, hopefully through group learning. I think there is something so powerful and unique about the group setting, with peer-to-peer experiences and feedback contributing to new knowledge.” 

Bajema said the scholarship affirms that she is on the right path in leading work that is important for the community. “This scholarship is so validating that my passion and pursuit is worthwhile and important. I am so grateful to the Wayne State College of Nursing for equipping me to serve these populations and for the financial support I have received along the way. My dream would not be possible without it,” Bajema said. 

Her post-graduation plans include working at a federally qualified health center in primary care to serve low-income, diverse patient populations. Eventually, she would like to become a nursing professor who encourages students to engage with these same communities. 

Daniel Rossmiller – Traditional BSN student  

Disparity of focus: Transgender and gender-diverse patient populations. 

“I am transgender, female to male, and have experienced not only the different treatments providers may give based on assumptions of my identity, but also the stigmas and hesitations that prevent many trans individuals from seeking care at all,” Rossmiller said. 

Rossmiller plans to pursue a nursing career prioritizing gender-affirming care with the understanding of asking for names and pronouns as appropriate, to help alleviate the stresses of receiving care. “Wherever I go, it is my intention to bring an awareness that there are social barriers which may be preventing us from fully understanding our patients and their lives,” he said.  

His understanding of gender-diverse patients and standardized resources of care has driven him to dedicate his studies to finding ways to make recommendations to address gender disparity-driven issues and improve the quality of care for gender-diverse patients. 

The award scholarship means less of a financial burden on his family while pursuing his BSN. “As the oldest of four siblings, I am doing everything I can to lower the financial burden of my education, because I want my three younger siblings to have the same opportunities I do. Any help I can get is helping me to help them, and as soon as I'm able, I will be paying that forward,” Rossmiller said.  

His post-graduation plans include working to bring awareness to social barriers and limitations of standardized care in nursing.